Spotlight on the 114th Congress : Rep . Bruce Poliquin ( R-ME-02 )
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2016 Issue 4 | THE SCORE
QThrough your experience with small businesses , what certain skills or perspectives do you apply as a public official ?
I ’ m proud to have had a
A successful , decades-long career in business where I ’ ve learned firsthand how businesses operate and what they need to succeed and grow jobs , such as predictability . Before joining Congress , I was Maine ’ s state treasurer , where I worked to help solve some of the most intractable problems facing our state and to get Maine ’ s fiscal house back in order . I ’ m honored to bring these skills and experiences to Congress as Maine ’ s 2nd District representative .
QWhat do you see as the current biggest threat to small-business owners ?
AOne of the main challenges that our small businesses face in Maine is too much government interference . Whether it ’ s policies that restrict access to credit or regulations that make it harder to hire workers , bigger , more intrusive government hurts our local businesses .
QHow have your roles on the House Judiciary , House
Foreign Affairs and House Small Business committees influenced your opinion ( s ) on the current threats to small business ?
AI ’ m honored to serve in Congress where I ’ ve used my personal experience in business to help families and our local businesses grow . In Congress , I ’ ve successfully pushed through important legislation , such as the Small Business
In Congress , I ’ ve successfully pushed through important legislation , such as the Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act , to help give our small businesses the tools they need to succeed and hire more workers .
Capital Formation Enhancement Act , to help give our small businesses the tools they need to succeed and hire more workers .
QIn what ways are you seeking feedback from small businesses in Maine and then using that information in Washington , D . C .?
AThe best way to learn about the challenges that our small businesses face is to talk with them directly . I ’ ve visited and met with hundreds of small-business owners across Maine – spanning 11 counties – and have made it a priority to always keep an open line of communication with them . I work for our Maine families and small businesses , and I always make sure their concerns are heard so that I can better serve them in Congress . S