WASHINGTON–The Government Affairs Committee of the International Housewares Association met here over the past few days for seminars on pressing political issues on small business.

On June 15, the committee members heard Michelle Dimarob, manager of government affairs for the National Federation of Independent Business, and James Gelfand, senior policy manager for health care for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, speak on the likely cost increases for small business from the health-care packaged passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama earlier this year. Jimmie Reyna, attorney with Williams Mullen Clark & Dobbins, highlighted trade issues facing the housewares industry—in particular, the growth of emerging markets and the increasing lack of transparency in China over product and manufacturing standards.

Yesterday, Austin Smyth, budget liaison for Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), spoke on the current status of the federal budget, how partisanship continues to dominate Capitol Hill, the rising levels of federal-government debt and the president’s commission on tax reform. Jim Wise, managing partner of Pace, described reforms in bankruptcy laws that affect small businesses, especially those that endeavor to speed small businesses out of bankruptcy. Jason Straczewski, director of government relations of the International Franchise Association, provided an update on the Employee Free Choice Act, which would eliminate the right for workers to hold a secret ballot to authorize a union. Attorney Carolynn Iafrate, founder of Industry Sales Tax Solutions, spoke about tax issues among the state governments, and how the states are looking for ways to close their budget deficits. Matt Dolan, managing partner of the Federal Policy Group, gave an update on federal tax proposals such as value-added tax, estate tax and tax reform.