CAMEO Network, Responsible Business Lending Coalition and Small Business Majority congratulate State Senator Tim Grayson (D-09) on his appointment as Chair of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.
As former Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee, Tim Grayson worked alongside organizations like ours to ensure that legislation protecting small businesses – such as SB 33, which guaranteed small business borrowers receive transparent pricing on their loans – was robust enough to make it through his committee and through the Assembly. Assemblymember Grayson also authored several bills supporting underserved entrepreneurs throughout his tenure in the Assembly.
“As a voice for California’s very small businesses, we remain dedicated to advocating for policies that provide access to capital, low to no-cost training, and the business technical assistance necessary for success,” said Carolina Martinez, CEO CAMEO Network. “We are confident that with the leadership of Senator Grayson, we can help empower microbusiness owners to continue driving economic growth and job creation in California.”
“On behalf of over 1,000 small business groups, nonprofits, and lenders to small businesses, we commend Chair Grayson as an advocate for small businesses,” said Louis Caditz-Peck, Executive Director, Responsible Business Lending Coalition. “We look forward to supporting Chair Grayson and the Banking Committee to help small businesses get the loans they need to thrive, and to protect California’s small businesses from financing companies that would overcharge or take advantage of them.”
“Senator Grayson’s appointment as chair of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee is good news for small businesses,” said Bianca Blomquist, California Director, Small Business Majority. “Sen. Grayson has been a champion for small firms, having supported past legislation that protects small business owners from predatory loans. We look forward to continuing to work with Sen. Grayson, himself a small business owner who we can count on to prioritize the needs of California’s entrepreneurs.”
About CAMEO Network
CAMEO Network is California’s statewide micro-business network made up of 400 organizations, agencies, and individuals dedicated to furthering micro-business development in California with small and micro-business financing such as loans and credit, technical assistance and business management training. Annually, CAMEO Network members serve about 200,000 very small businesses with training, business and credit assistance and loans. These firms – largely start-ups with less than six employees – support or create 300,000 new jobs in California and generate a total of $15 billion in economic activity.
About Responsible Business Lending Coalition
The Responsible Business Lending Coalition (RBLC) and its members represent over 1,000 small business groups, for-profit lenders, nonprofit CDFIs, civil rights and community groups, and tens of thousands of small businesses themselves. These companies and nonprofits have come together to protect small businesses from the rise of irresponsible small business lending and increase small businesses’ access to the financing they need to thrive.
The RBLC’s work is grounded in the Small Business Borrowers’ Bill of Rights, the first consensus industry/nonprofit standards for responsible financing to small businesses. Over 90 small business lenders, brokers and lead generators, and advocacy organizations have endorsed these standards.
About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business organization that empowers America’s diverse entrepreneurs to build a thriving and equitable economy. We engage our network of more than 85,000 small businesses and 1,500 business and community organizations to deliver resources to entrepreneurs and advocate for public policy solutions that promote inclusive small business growth. Our work is bolstered by extensive research and deep connections with the small business community that enable us to educate stakeholders about key issues impacting America’s entrepreneurs, with a special focus on the smallest businesses and those facing systemic inequities.