May 24, 2002

Washington - Today, Darrell McKigney, President of the Small Business Survival Committee, called upon the Bush Administration to hang up on the Federal Trade Commission`s (FTC) proposed national do-not-call list regulation.    

"The FTC`s proposal for a national do-not-call registry is a bad Clinton era holdover initiative.  The Bush Administration should not stand idle and allow such an expansive federal program to be implemented, as it will not only hurt businesses, but, the core of our American economy, the entrepreneurs - small business owners," said  McKigney, "Yet another layer of regulations will only hinder the ability of small businesses to expand their financial viability and economic growth, especially in a recovering economy."

The FTC's proposed do-not-call registry regulation, announced earlier this year, will only go as far as the agency's jurisdiction.  Meaning intrastate calls, calls from long distance carriers, insurance companies and banks will not be regulated.  To date, nearly 20 states have implemented intrastate DNC regulations and the industry already regulates itself.

"The FTC's feel-good fix is ridden with exemptions and loopholes for hundreds of large corporations, including major banks and long distance telephone companies.  Meanwhile, small businesses, which don't have special exceptions, will face paying higher costs," McKigney stated.

McKigney added, "We emphatically urge the Administration to hang up on the FTC's proposed do-not-call registry and allow the free market economy to ring off the hook."