• 26 Oct 00 - She sang a sour note... - If the mammouth 286-page PDF version of the Tax Relief Act of 2000 can be likened to the proverbial Fat Lady... well, she sang a sour note for the 115 Enterprise Communities left out of the business development tax incentives which made it through this year's annual Pork-Fest on Capitol Hill. Thanks go to Jim Schneider and Gene Gaines for their tireless efforts to inform legislators about this critical situation and to correct this 'unfortunate oversight' in the tax relief legislation.

We gave it our all. Next time we'll be better, stronger and more prepared to fight for the programs and policies which stimulate rather than thwart the rise of the Entrepreneurial Spirit in our local rural and urban neighborhoods.

Tomorrow will be a better day! Thanks to all who sent faxes, button-holed Senators and otherwise lent a hand to this important effort. Certainly many more legislators are now more sensitive to our cause and community than they were before this organizing effort began. Thank you, all. And a special thank you to Jim Schneider and Gene Gaines.

• 18 Oct 00 - We ain't dead, yet! - It looks like the Renewal and New Markets bill will make it out of the Senate Finance Committee by the end of this week.

Tireless advocates Gene Gaines, Nevada's Brad Rothermel and Jim Schneider indicate that, to quote Gene, "Thanks to the fine work of Legislative Director Anita Horn in Senator Reid's office (D, NV), and with the help of a few other people friendly to Enterprise Communities on both sides of the aisle, we're making some progress!"

Let's all keep our fingers crossed as we dial our phones sending faxes to our Senators who can help influence this important legislation.

• 11 Oct 00 - Rural Lewiston Maine's Exec Director recognized for her 'EC Inclusion' efforts - Empower Lewiston's Carole Ansheles was recently recognized by her state's Senators for helping educate them about the issue and, in the word's of one Senator's office "to put this issue on the map of a lot of [EC] communities and Senators...". Way to go Carole. Keep up the good work!

• 10 Oct 00 - Here's the latest from the Hill... - Check out today's issue of Jim Schneider's 'The Taxman86 Speaks... newsletter for the full (unabashed) low-down on the ever-winding tale of the forgotten Enterprise Communities.

• 08 Oct 00 - Still waiting, still hoping... - We're not able to determine just what's in and what's out of the 'Community Renewal and New Markets' bill as we approach the end of this Congressional session... but one thing is for sure, not even the New York Times thinks that urban and rural economic development are 'newsworthy' during these waning hours of the session.

• 30 Sept 00 - Hey, Senate Finance Committee! If you're listening... - Revisit Gene Gaine's moving plea to include Enterprise Communities in business development tax incentives of the 'Community Renewal and New Markets' bill. Next, take a second look at Jim Schneider's 'EC Inclusion Amendment' proposal. Then, on behalf of the 115 Enterprise Communities that need your support, won't one of you Senators on the Finance Committee sponsor this amendment? Thank you.

• 28 Sept 00 - Pork rules, Enterprise Communities are forgotten! The good news, if we can find any in this, is that the markup of the 'Community Renewal and New Markets' bill was postponed. The bad news is that the latest proposed revision is full of extraneous amendments for everything but helping the 115 existing Enterprise Communities with tax incentives for business delopment!?

• 27 Sept 00 - Senator Nickles to introduce 'EC Inclusion Amendment' with biparisan support! - Jim Schneider and Gene Gaines report that Senator Don Nickles (R. OK) will be introducing the $200M 'EC Inclusion amendment' on behalf of Enterprise Communities, and that there is support from Senators Robb (D. VA), Baucus (D. MT) and others. Go, Change Insurgents, Jim and Gene, go!

• 26 Sept 00 - NYT article an eye-opener and tear-jerker - Gene Gaines writes, "I am so very sad. And angry. Too often, I see a Congress that listens to the powerful. Too often, I see that it does not listen to those in need. This story, 'Forget Washington. The Poor Cope Alone', from September 26th edition of The New York Times On the Web cries out for reading and reflection."

The 'Community Renewal and New Markets Act' is scheduled to hit the floor of the Senate Finance Committee this Wednesday. There is still time to add your voice to the choir. Fax your Senators and tell them, "We want private investment incentives in the Real World of our rural and urban communities not yet touched by the New Economy."

• 25 Sept 00 - Schneider proposes 'EC Inclusion' Amendment - Leading EC activists rally to support fairness in the 'Community Renewal Act'. Read Jim's short, effective proposal.

• 21 Sept 00 - The Senate Finance Committee again postponed Markup of S. 2936. With over 72 amendments quickly filed for this bill, Chairman Roth says he'll not allow costs to go over $37 billion over 10 years. Jim Schneider and Gene Gaines urge you to make sure your Senators include the $200 million Enterprise Communities Amendment in S 2936. Mark up is expected for the week of September 25.

• 20 Sept 00 - Bill markup delay could indicate they're listening - Gene Gaines and Jim Schneider report the "Renewal Communities and New Markets Act" markup is delayed until Thursday, September 21st. With faxes flying and 'elastic networks' vibrating, there's reason to believe the Senators are listening. We'll keep you posted.

• 19 Sept 00 - Jim Schneider works with Delaware EC for 'EC Inclusion' amendment to the "Community Renewal and New Markets Act" - The proposed amendment would allow the benefits of the Capital Gains Rollover and Exclusion provisions, which are currently proposed only for Empowerment Zones, to be applicable for all existing Enterprise Communities.

Schnieder and the Delaware EC are actively seeking author/sponsors of the amendment to accomplish this result, which has the support of most of the 115 Enterprise Communities.

Right on, Jim, we are proud you are a Sohodojo Advisory Board member. And right on, Wilmington, Delaware EC! Your Quick Response change insurgency is an inspiration to all 115 Enterprise Communities.

• 18 Sept 00 - Gene Gaines speaks out! Read "Why did you forget us?... the Enterprise Communities".

• 12 Sept 00 - Four small business activists start grassroots action. Jim Schneider, Gene Gaines, Timlynn Babitsky and Jim Salmons organize effort to include the nation's Enterprise Communities in business development tax incentives in the "American Community Renewal and New Markets Empowerment Act". Read the press release.

Read the latest installment of The Nanocorp Primer entitled "Shamrocks and Nanocorps: Bridging the Digital Divide with 'Small is Good' Business Webs".

This on-line presentation will help you understand why we are fighting for entrepreneurial small business investment incentives in the nation's EZ/EC communities.