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Heading Into Elections, PPS & Partners Highlight Important Connection Between Economy & Democracy

November 9, 2022

Heading Into Elections, PPS & Partners Highlight Important Connection Between Economy & Democracy


WASHINGTON, D.C.–Ahead of the midterm elections, Public Private Strategies has been working with business owners & partners across the country to highlight democracy issues and their impact on the business community. 

Here’s what’s been happening:


In letters to the editor to publications in states like 
Ohio and North Carolina, business leaders have made the case that a strong economy requires a strong democracy. 

Cleveland.com: A strong economy rests on a strong democracy. Vote to preserve both.

The midterm elections are almost here and democracy is on the ballot. As a small business owner, I understand that a strong economy requires a strong democracy. Capitalism can’t work without it. After all, how can businesses responsibly plan for growth and create jobs without a stable government? We can’t.

I own an accountant firm with offices in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. I was able to succeed and grow my businesses in part because of democracy, but that is now under threat. We have work to do to strengthen our democracy at home and for the nation. So when you head to the polls on Nov. 8, remember democracy and vote to protect it. 

– Anne Zimmerman, Cincinnati


Raleigh News & Observer: Protect Democracy

A recent Small Business for America’s Future survey found that 78% of small business owners are very concerned about the state of our democracy, and 73% strongly agree that “when a well-functioning democracy is under threat, there are negative implications for the nation’s economy that harm small business.” I’m glad the U.S. House passed legislation that would strengthen our democratic process against those who would try to subvert a presidential election. But more must be done.

I was born and raised in Raleigh and returned to the area after college to start my businesses. I love North Carolina, but we have work to do to strengthen our democracy at home and for the nation. So when you head to the polls Nov. 8, remember democracy and vote to protect it. 

– David Meeker, Raleigh


These letters have highlighted research from both the 
Business & Democracy Initiative and Small Business for America’s Future that shows business owners are deeply concerned about the state of American democracy and the impacts that threats to democracy have on the economy and their livelihoods.
 
As the midterms approach, PPS Founder and Principal Rhett Buttle has spoken out on the need for political actors to respect the integrity of the American election system. Below is an excerpt of Buttle’s statement following President Biden’s speech on democracy and political violence last week:

Polling from the Business & Democracy Initiative shows that well over 90% of business leaders think that a well-functioning democracy is important to a strong economy, while over 80% think that the business community should be engaged in protecting our democratic institutions. That’s why, in the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection, business leaders took unprecedented steps to condemn the attack and use their unique and powerful voice to support democratic institutions.

“As the midterm elections approach, it is important that politicians, policymakers, and business leaders respect the integrity of the American election system, affirm its neutrality, and provide certainty to the market. The business community recognizes the need for safe and secure elections, and we stand ready to work with public sector leaders to protect our democratic institutions."

 

As the midterm elections conclude, PPS remains engaged in critical work to strengthen American democracy at the state and local levels, and in the Congressional lame-duck.

On November 29 at 9 a.m. ET the Business & Democracy Initiative and Public Private Strategies will partner with Punchbowl News to host 
a conversation with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). The conversation will focus on the future of democracy, voting rights reforms, and more! The event will also feature Anoop Prakash, a founding member of the Wisconsin Business Leaders For Democracy, who will bring a business voice to the conversation about the need for democratic reform.


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December 13, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Fox Live Now to talk about the state of the economy and the outlook for 2024. Watch the full interview here or below.
October 7, 2024
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October 1, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month marks the anniversary of two pivotal pieces of legislation that are helping fuel a small business boom, the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past four years, there has been a historic growth of American entrepreneurship across the country, with over 18 million new business applications filed, each one an act of hope and optimism in our economic future. This small business boom is fueled by investments like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS & Science Act. Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “As we mark the two-year anniversaries of the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the positive impact across the business landscape, and particularly for entrepreneurs, is unmistakable. The CHIPS & Science Act is fueling entrepreneurship opportunities by dedicating over $50 million to help develop new ideas and technologies to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and supply chain. “The Inflation Reduction Act has helped lower costs for workers and consumers, driving up demand for small businesses across the country. The healthcare provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act alone are saving millions Americans an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums. These investments have helped fuel America’s small business boom, including a record 18 million new small business applications filed over the past four years. “We have more work to do to address the issues that business owners have consistently said are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to expanding and streamlining contracting opportunities for small employers to strengthening and protecting American democracy . We remained committed to working with business leaders to address these challenges and ensure these investments are implemented effectively to grow economies and support communities all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle Founder & CEO, Public Private Strategies President, Public Private Strategies Institute Senior Fellow, The Aspen Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. He has worked for President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in government and campaign roles. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policy makers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. In addition to PPS and PPSI, he has helped found the Small Business Roundtable, Small Business for America’s Future, and the Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes on the intersection of business, policy, and politics. Rhett has also been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and several other business publications. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com .
August 21, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined LiveNOW Fox to talk about Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention.
August 20, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined LiveNOW Fox to talk about Night 2 of the Democratic National Convention.
August 19, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Scripps News to discuss Night 1 of the Democratic National Convention.
August 15, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Scripps News to discuss what a Kamala Harris Presidency could mean for small businesses. Watch the interview below
August 9, 2024
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July 21, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential race. Rhett Buttle, National Business Advisor to Biden for President in 2020, CEO of Public Private Strategies & Co-Founder of the Business & Democracy Initiative , released the following statement: “President Joe Biden showed us what selfless leadership in support of democracy looks like. “Through his work with policymakers across the aisle, President Biden and Vice President Harris led the country back from the brink during a pandemic and delivered bipartisan historic investments that will continue to ripple across our economy for generations, fueling strong job growth. The American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are some of the most significant economic achievements in modern American history. “This has led to record numbers of new business starts—more than 17.2 million—each one an act of hope and optimism for our future. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration over the next few months to continue strengthening our economy in support of businesses and workers all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle, Founder, Public Private Strategies and President, Public Private Strategies Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. Most recently, Rhett served as National Business Advisor to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. He has worked for President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policymakers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com . As the United States marks the 14th anniversary of the AffordableCare Act (ACA), more Americans now have health care coverage than ever before. Since its enactment in 2010, the ACA has been a vital tool for Main Street, providing access to affordable healthcare options and fostering a healthier, more productive workforce.
April 29, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its March jobs report, showing the US economy added 303,000 jobs in March while the unemployment rate fell to 3.8%. CNN characterized US job growth in March as “whopping,” with gains far outpacing economists' expectations. In response to the strong jobs report, Rhett Buttle, Founder of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “The labor market continues to exceed economists’ expectations, with over 300,000 jobs added in March – 50% more than economists anticipated. Bipartisan investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are fueling broad-based economic growth that is strengthening the labor market, increasing consumer confidence , and leading to over 16 million new small business applications in the past three years – the most ever in that period and a reflection of deep optimism among American entrepreneurs about our economic future.” “Lawmakers must continue to double down on America’s economic momentum, and that starts with addressing the issues that business owners say are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to strengthening and protecting American democracy .” ### About Rhett Buttle, Founder, Public Private Strategies and President, Public Private Strategies Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. Most recently, Rhett served as National Business Advisor to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. He has worked for President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policymakers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com . As the United States marks the 14th anniversary of the AffordableCare Act (ACA), more Americans now have health care coverage than ever before. Since its enactment in 2010, the ACA has been a vital tool for Main Street, providing access to affordable healthcare options and fostering a healthier, more productive workforce.
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