SmallBusinessNewz

The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it saved American small businesses $10.7 billion in foregone regulatory costs in fiscal year 2008, by helping federal agencies comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

"Small businesses gain when their voice is heard during the regulatory process," says Shawne McGibbon, Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "When small business is involved in regulatory decision making, more effective and efficient regulations are the result. The Office of Advocacy is proud to bring small businesses’ concerns to the attention of regulators in Washington, and we are especially proud of the $10.7 billion in savings that resulted from our efforts."

The Office of Advocacy also discussed some of its efforts including:

- Submitting 33 public comment letters to federal agencies on regulatory proposals

- Convening 28 roundtables to solicit opinions and concerns of small business stakeholders

- Delivering the 2008 r3 Top 10 Rules for Review and Reform to agencies for their action, and
 
- Working with stakeholders in five states to pass regulatory flexibility legislation.

The Office of Advocacy considers itself the "small business watchdog" of the federal government, and claims to independently represent the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President.