| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Main Street Alliance (MSA) small business owners from across Wisconsin met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., Wednesday. They voiced support for measures to rein in monopolies, improve our care economy, and invest in Main Street — including through Senate passage of the Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022 (S.4008), which is expected to come up for a vote today. Main Street small businesses met with Senator Ron Johnson’s office, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-7), Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-1), Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-8), and Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-1). They raised the need for urgent support to recover and long-term investments to level the playing field. “Ron Johnson should vote ‘yes’ on replenishment because he said he’d support us,” said Melissa Buchholz, owner of Odd Duck Restaurant in Milwaukee, WI. Main Street small business owners also raised concerns about corporate concentration and a lack of support for child care and paid leave. “Our work is not just going to talk with decision makers,” Chanda Causer, executive director of Main Street Alliance said. “It’s about organizing local collective power, and we’re coming here to say, ‘We have demands. We want to build relationships, and we want to see some changes.'” MSA small business owners who traveled to D.C.: Dave Heide, owner of Liliana’s and Little John’s, Fitchburg Dan Jacobs, owner of Dan Dan, Esterev and Fool’s Errand, Milwaukee Richard Neeno, owner of Lark, Lark Market, and the Sandwich Bar, Janesville Corrine Hendrickson, Corrine’s Little Explorers, New Glarus Chef Evan Dannells, owner of Cadre Restaurant, Madison Macy Buhler, owner of Yahara River Learning Center, Deforest Michelle Tressler, VP and owner of Hinterland Brewery and Restaurant, Ashwaubenon Melissa Buchholz, owner of Odd Duck, Milwaukee Anna Ringstad, Business Development Manager, Indianhead Community Action Agency, Ladysmith Steve Wandrie, owner of Northwoods Nexus, Ladysmith Ramona Hallmon, Ramonavation Business Consulting, Baraboo Ashley Prange, owner of Au Naturale Cosmetics, Green Bay |
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