Creating jobs and revitalizing business with a new, green economy

By Mark Hanson

Mark Hanson doesn't just talk about creating jobs. He has done it. As CEO/president of the nonprofit Heartland Coalition and United Green, he is on the cutting of the emerging green economy. His many years of experience creating good jobs and building coalitions with business and labor groups. Now he has a plan to create jobs for all Californians and revitalize our state's economy. We need Mark Hanson's vision and leadership skills in Sacramento.

As president of Leadership Management International, San Diego, Mark has helped to train the business leaders of tomorrow. Now he can help all of California.

Mark Hanson understands the needs of both business and working people. He has worked to build coalitions of corporations and small businesses, as well as labor groups through the years.

Before founding United Green, Mark previously served as Director of Training and Development for the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, where he has raised $11 million in grants and helped create thousands of local, good-paying jobs. He previously served as Executive Director of Labor's Community Service Agency, administering programs to assist workers, families and the community with career development, health, education, and housing.

"I believe that people who work hard deserve good jobs with fair wages and health benefits. I have experience in this area," Mark says. "I have successfully created job training programs and brought new employers to our region. I've also set up training and apprenticeship programs to provide students and employees with skills needed in today's workplace.

"I also support tax credits for small businesses, which provide two-thirds of new jobs in California, doing more to fuel our economy than big corporations. I would streamline regulations and bureaucracy to make it easier for small businesses to thrive.

"As a successful business leader, I understand the needs of small businesses. As CEO and founder of Heartland Foundation, I've provided seed money and programs to help small businesses start up and grow. After the Cedar wildfire, my foundation raised funds to help small business owners rebuild. I have a solid financial background as a securities broker and have taught business leadership skills to others.

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of a community. They provide two-thirds of all new jobs in California, fueling the California economy. But increasingly, small businesses are facing financial pressures from rising fuel costs, soaring health insurance premiums, and a maze of complex business regulations and bureaucratic obstacles.

"Our current government leaders have given huge tax breaks to big corporations, while doing little or nothing to ease the burden on small businesses. Big oil companies are reaping windfall profits and HMO profits have tripled in the past years. While many small businesses and families are struggling or leaving the state, our leaders are supporting corporate welfare for the world's biggest companies.

"This must change. I support:

• tax incentives for small businesses + the best investment to create jobs, a healthy economy, and a higher standard of living for business owners and their employees;
• closing corporate loopholes and stopping big corporations from setting up off-shore offices to dodge paying taxes in California;

• offering tax incentives for businesses that build alternative energy manufacturing facilities to help us attain energy independence from high-priced gas and oil, which has been hurting our economy and forcing small businesses to feel the pinch;

• streamlining regulatory and bureaucratic procedures My plan will make it easier for small businesses to start up, compete and thrive throughout California."