WASHINGTON — President Bush on Tuesday sought billions of dollars in new tax breaks to spur America's small businesses, arguing that improving the entrepreneurial climate will generate new jobs and help pull the nation from the economic slowdown.
"Small businesses are the paths to success for many Americans — especially women, newly arrived, minority Americans," Bush said at a conference for female entrepreneurs.
"One of the things this summit recognizes is there has been a fundamental change in our economy. When it comes to entrepreneurship and job creation, ours is an increasingly women's world," Bush said to cheers from the crowd.
In addition to tax relief, Bush also wants the government to encourage small businesses to band together to obtain health care for employees, a move he says would expand coverage to more people and lower business costs.
Bush would remove regulatory "barriers" he says slow growth; encourage greater competition by small businesses seeking government contracts; and make the government a greater advocate for small businesses when it considers regulatory changes.
"Small businesses embody the American values of hard work, risk-taking and independence," the president said.