Manan Trivedi Speaks With Local Small Business Owner Upset Over Rep. Gerlach's Anti-Financial Reform Vote
MEDIA RELEASE
7.2.2010
Ed Niles, Campaign Manager
610-286-4846
Anna Magazzeni wants to know why Gerlach supported Wall Street and not her.
SPRING CITY, Pa - Anna Magazzeni, owner of the Pughtown Agway was less than thrilled with Rep. Jim Gerlach's vote siding with the interests of Wall Street over her local small business. Magazzeni took a few moments out of her busy day to discuss with Democratic candidate for the 6th congressional district, Manan Trivedi her disgust over what she described as "a vote that really hurts small business owners like me."
On Tuesday, June 30th, the House of Representatives took up a vote on whether to support reform of the financial industry. Within that legislation there is a provision that will prevent credit card companies and banks from charging unlimited fees to businesses for every purchase a customer makes using a credit or debit card. Under current law, credit card companies and banks are permitted to asses fees on each purchase made at any rate they decide. These Interchange Fees or "swipe fees" as they are called, are paid to the credit card company or bank by the store and have been widely opposed by small business owners across the nation.
"We've all seen what happens when you let Wall Street run out of control," Magazzeni said. "I end up paying the swipe fees, Wall Street runs high risks that run our economy into the ground, and then they get to keep all their bonuses. How is that fair to any of us here in Pennsylvania.?
In today's current economy with so many small businesses doing everything they can to stay open, most stores can't afford to pass the cost of the swipe fees on to their customers out of fear that they will lose their business. As a result, most small business owners end up absorbing the cost of fees which reduce their already dwindling profits.
"Small businesses drive our local economy and we have to start representing them in a way that reflects their impact," said Manan Trivedi. "Jim Gerlach unfortunately decided to side with the guys in the high finance industry instead of the hardworking folks right here at home.
"We certainly need a change from the old ways of Washington politics that Jim Gerlach has become so accustomed to. When I am in Congress, I will always remember that my work is on behalf of my constituents who live in the community where I grew up. But for right now, I guess my work will have to be to remind Jim Gerlach that his constituents don't live in Lower Manhattan," Trivedi concluded.
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6th Congressional district candidate Manan Trivedi discusses the recent Wall Street reform bill with local business owner, Anna Magazzeni. Magazzeni is upset that Trivedi's opponent, Congressman Jim Gerlach had voted against a provision to limit excessive credit card "swipe fees" that are hurting small businesses like hers.
SPRING CITY, Pa - Anna Magazzeni, owner of the Pughtown Agway was less than thrilled with Rep. Jim Gerlach's vote siding with the interests of Wall Street over her local small business. Magazzeni took a few moments out of her busy day to discuss with Democratic candidate for the 6th congressional district, Manan Trivedi her disgust over what she described as "a vote that really hurts small business owners like me."
On Tuesday, June 30th, the House of Representatives took up a vote on whether to support reform of the financial industry. Within that legislation there is a provision that will prevent credit card companies and banks from charging unlimited fees to businesses for every purchase a customer makes using a credit or debit card. Under current law, credit card companies and banks are permitted to asses fees on each purchase made at any rate they decide. These Interchange Fees or "swipe fees" as they are called, are paid to the credit card company or bank by the store and have been widely opposed by small business owners across the nation.
"We've all seen what happens when you let Wall Street run out of control," Magazzeni said. "I end up paying the swipe fees, Wall Street runs high risks that run our economy into the ground, and then they get to keep all their bonuses. How is that fair to any of us here in Pennsylvania.?
In today's current economy with so many small businesses doing everything they can to stay open, most stores can't afford to pass the cost of the swipe fees on to their customers out of fear that they will lose their business. As a result, most small business owners end up absorbing the cost of fees which reduce their already dwindling profits.
"Small businesses drive our local economy and we have to start representing them in a way that reflects their impact," said Manan Trivedi. "Jim Gerlach unfortunately decided to side with the guys in the high finance industry instead of the hardworking folks right here at home.
"We certainly need a change from the old ways of Washington politics that Jim Gerlach has become so accustomed to. When I am in Congress, I will always remember that my work is on behalf of my constituents who live in the community where I grew up. But for right now, I guess my work will have to be to remind Jim Gerlach that his constituents don't live in Lower Manhattan," Trivedi concluded.
6th Congressional district candidate Manan Trivedi discusses the recent Wall Street reform bill with local business owner, Anna Magazzeni. Magazzeni is upset that Trivedi's opponent, Congressman Jim Gerlach had voted against a provision to limit excessive credit card "swipe fees" that are hurting small businesses like hers.
