Delaware Democratic Party

Last night at the Republican National Convention, Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor Sher Valenzuela touted her experience as a successful small business owner.  On a night themed “We Built It,” meant as an affront to President Obama, Sher discussed how government has hurt her business. She failed to mention the over $15 Million in government loans and contracts her business, First State Manufacturing, has taken in since it started which helped it become successful.  Instead, she discussed unnamed government regulations that have supposedly hurt her business. In truth, Sher is the poster child for the positive relationship between government and small business.  And in that vein, Governor Markell signed Executive Order 36 in June to tackle outdated, ineffective and redundant regulations while giving a boost to small business.

The order brings citizens, businesses and state agencies together to identify and remove regulatory hurdles. Each executive agency will be required to hold at least one public forum in each county and accept written comments and suggestions about regulations.  The order represents a bipartisan coalition of Delaware lawmakers and small business owners who came together to try and create a better business environment. At the conclusion of these meetings, the agencies can decide whether certain regulations still serve a relevant purpose.  Representative Bryon Short, co-chair of the House Small Business Caucus, knows how important the order is for helping small business succeed. “If you own a small business, you do your best to be in compliance, but there is always the fear you are missing something due to decade upon decade of regulations,” said Rep. Short.

The state of Delaware is ranked as one of the best places in the country to do business.  Continued efforts to improve the relationship between government and business is part of what enables businesses, like Sher Valenzuela’s own company, to be so successful.