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Report: Why the 21st Century Antitrust Act is Critical for New York Small Businesses

Report: Why the 21st Century Antitrust Act is Critical for New York Small Businesses

Katy Milani

May 19, 2022

In New York, rampant market power is endangering the economic dynamism that New York small businesses generate. State lawmakers have the opportunity to build a more level playing field for small businesses by passing the 21st Century Antitrust Act. Our report, published with New Yorkers for a Fair Economy, illustrates why this legislation will strengthen the economic vitality of communities across the state.  READ MORE


ILSR Calls for New Merger Standards to Halt Concentration, Revive Local Economies

ILSR Calls for New Merger Standards to Halt Concentration, Revive Local Economies

Stacy Mitchell

April 27, 2022

In 1982, the two agencies charged with overseeing America’s antimonopoly laws — the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission — radically weakened their policy governing mergers. Now the agencies are embarking on an overhaul of that policy. In this comment letter, ILSR details how current enforcement policy deviates from the anti-merger laws passed by Congress, describes the consequences, and outlines as set of recommendations for updating the policy to stop concentration and revive local economies.  READ MORE


2022 Independent Business Survey: Top Challenges and Policy Priorities

2022 Independent Business Survey: Top Challenges and Policy Priorities

ILSR

March 30, 2022

ILSR surveyed 908 small, independent businesses across across the country. We asked about the challenges they face and the policies they believe would improve the survival and success of independent businesses.  READ MORE


Recent

NEW REPORT Endorsed by State Legislators Highlights Urgency of 21st Century Antitrust Act for New York Small Businesses

NEW REPORT Endorsed by State Legislators Highlights Urgency of 21st Century Antitrust Act for New York Small Businesses

Reggie Rucker

May 19, 2022

A new report endorsed by state legislators highlights the urgency of the 21st Century Antitrust Act for New York small businesses. As high inflation rages on, dominant corporations threaten the ability for New York small businesses to compete. Legislature can reverse  READ MORE


Statement from ILSR on Alvaro Bedoya’s Confirmation to the Federal Trade Commission

Statement from ILSR on Alvaro Bedoya’s Confirmation to the Federal Trade Commission

Reggie Rucker

May 12, 2022

In a statement, ILSR’s Co-director Stacy Mitchell responded to Alvaro Bedoya’s confirmation to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  READ MORE


Corporations Rake in Subsidies at Communities’ Expense — Episode 148 of Building Local Power

Corporations Rake in Subsidies at Communities' Expense — Episode 148 of Building Local Power

Jess Del Fiacco

April 7, 2022

On this episode of the Building Local Power Podcast, Jess Del Fiacco is joined by Stacy Mitchell and Arlene Martínez who discuss the use of nondisclosure agreements, the acceleration of mega-deals during the pandemic, and what true economic development looks   READ MORE


In Crain’s, NY Antitrust Bill Can Level the Playing Field for Small Business

In Crain’s, NY Antitrust Bill Can Level the Playing Field for Small Business

Luke Gannon

April 4, 2022

In New York, dominant corporations are amassing unprecedented economic and political power and putting small businesses at risk. Katy Milani and Sue Warfield write in Crain’s that the proposed 21st Century Antitrust Act would level the playing field.   READ MORE


2022 Independent Business Survey: Snapshot of Amazon Marketplace Sellers

2022 Independent Business Survey: Snapshot of Amazon Marketplace Sellers

ILSR

March 30, 2022

When we surveyed over 900 small, independent businesses across the U.S., 94 reported being third-party sellers on Amazon’s Marketplace. This is a snapshot of their responses.  READ MORE


In The Forge: We Need a Popular Front to Overthrow Corporate Rule. Small Businesses Are Key.

In The Forge: We Need a Popular Front to Overthrow Corporate Rule. Small Businesses Are Key.

Stacy Mitchell

March 24, 2022

In The Forge Stacy Mitchell argues that we are in unprecedented moment to organize a broad popular front of small businesses and working people to change the course of corporate concentration.  READ MORE


Issue Brief: Handcuffed by the Courts

Issue Brief: Handcuffed by the Courts

Ron Knox

March 8, 2022

Beginning in the late 1970s, a series of Supreme Court cases upended U.S. antitrust laws — laws that were once the linchpin of a comprehensive, democratic check on corporate power. This issue brief traverses the history and argues that Congress m  READ MORE


In Financial Times: The Innovations We Lose if We Don’t Break Up Big Tech

In Financial Times: The Innovations We Lose if We Don’t Break Up Big Tech

Susan Holmberg

February 16, 2022

In the Financial Times, Susan Holmberg details the evidence showing that in their quest to maintain dominance tech giants are in fact killing new ideas, limiting new inventions and blocking new businesses from getting a foothold.  READ MORE


Video: The Progressive Fight for Small Business w/ Rep. Pramila Jayapal, White House Advisor Tim Wu, and Leading Advocates

Video: The Progressive Fight for Small Business w/ Rep. Pramila Jayapal, White House Advisor Tim Wu, and Leading Advocates

Stacy Mitchell

January 31, 2022

In January, ILSR hosted a conversation with key leaders and advocates including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and White House Advisor Tim Wu to discuss the importance of small business to achieving a vibrant, equitable economy where all people and communities can  READ MORE


Watch Now: Small Business’s Big Moment

Watch Now: Small Business's Big Moment

Kennedy Smith

January 20, 2022

On February 10th, 2022, ILSR and Main Street America hosted a conversation about how communities can use some of their federal American Rescue Plan Act allocations to support small business growth and development. The webinar was based on a new  READ MORE


In-Depth

Report: Small Business’s Big Moment

Report: Small Business's Big Moment

Kennedy Smith

January 24, 2022

One of the biggest challenges facing America’s towns and cities is leveling the playing field for small businesses. Our new report shows how civic leaders can use the American Rescue Plan to do just that, which will provide communities and local economies with lasting benefits for decades to come.  READ MORE


Report: Amazon’s Toll Road

Report: Amazon's Toll Road

Stacy Mitchell

December 1, 2021

Amazon is exploiting its position as a gatekeeper to impose steep and growing fees on the small businesses that must rely on its site to reach the online market, our new report finds. Even as these exorbitant fees bankrupt sellers, they are generating huge profits for Amazon, a fact that the tech giant conceals in its financial reports. These profits are not only the spoils of Amazon's monopoly power. They are the essential fuel that feeds its market-domination strategies.  READ MORE


In The American Prospect: Why Congress Must End America’s Merger Free-for-All

In The American Prospect: Why Congress Must End America’s Merger Free-for-All

Luke Gannon

October 28, 2021

Senior Research Ron Knox writes in The American Prospect about how decades of unchecked mergers has killed jobs, suppressed wages, and smothered independent businesses. With Lina Khan and DOJ nominee Jonathon Kanter, there is newfound hope to overhaul current merger laws. But Congress must act to end America’s merger free-for-all.  READ MORE


Fact Sheet: How Amazon Exploits and Undermines Small Businesses, and Why Breaking It Up Would Revive American Entrepreneurship

Fact Sheet: How Amazon Exploits and Undermines Small Businesses, and Why Breaking It Up Would Revive American Entrepreneurship

Stacy Mitchell

June 16, 2021

In splashy campaigns and lobbying at the Capitol, Amazon claims that it has “a mutually beneficial relationship” with the small businesses that depend on its platform. This fact sheet tells the real story, and explains what Congress needs to do.  READ MORE


Special Delivery: Our Report Shows How Local Delivery Services are Superior to the Big Apps

Special Delivery: Our Report Shows How Local Delivery Services are Superior to the Big Apps

Susan Holmberg

May 25, 2021

Unlike the predatory Wall Street-backed apps, local delivery services charge lower fees, support restaurants, keep wealth in the community, and demonstrate that when it comes to food delivery, local delivery models are better and more efficient.  READ MORE


In Wired: Big Music Needs to Be Broken Up to Save the Industry

In Wired: Big Music Needs to Be Broken Up to Save the Industry

Susan Holmberg

March 16, 2021

Ron Knox explains how consolidation in the music industry, like the pandemic, has been disastrous for artists. The monopolization of three chokepoints in the distribution of music — record labels, streaming, and live venues — is making it impossible for the broad “middle class” of artists to reach listeners.  READ MORE


In The Nation, the Left Should Fight for Small Business

In The Nation, the Left Should Fight for Small Business

Susan Holmberg

December 2, 2020

It's hard to believe, but Democrats used to be the party of small business. In The Nation, Stacy Mitchell and Susan R. Holmberg argue that the left should once again embrace small business. Doing so is crucial to reversing inequality & rescuing democracy. It’s also key to winning Congress.  READ MORE


Featured Audio and Video

Listen: How Epic Games’ Acquisition of Bandcamp will Impact Independent Artists

Listen: How Epic Games' Acquisition of Bandcamp will Impact Independent Artists

Luke Gannon

March 10, 2022

Ron Knox was featured on The Grapevine, an Australian talk radio show, where he discussed Epic Games recent acquisition of Bandcamp and its effect on independent artists. READ MORE


Listen: How Corporate Mergers Undermine Labor Rights

Listen: How Corporate Mergers Undermine Labor Rights

Luke Gannon

March 3, 2022

Ron Knox was featured on The Heartland Labor Forum on KKFI, where he discussed his recent reporting detailing how corporate mergers helped create monopolies that dominate our economies and drive down workers’ wages. READ MORE


Building Local Power: Our Best Podcast Episodes on Antimonopoly

Building Local Power: Our Best Podcast Episodes on Antimonopoly

Ron Knox

January 25, 2022

We have generated a list of Building Local Power's “greatest hits” from our recent archives. These episodes capture crucial perspectives in our multi-pronged antitrust, small business, and racial justice movement.READ MORE


On Capitol Forum: Amazon Charges Steep Fees at the Expense of Small Businesses

On Capitol Forum: Amazon Charges Steep Fees at the Expense of Small Businesses

Luke Gannon

January 5, 2022

Stacy Mitchell joined Teddy Downey on the Capitol Forum's podcast to discuss ILSR’s new Amazon’s Toll Road report, which finds that Amazon is exploiting its position as a gatekeeper to impose steep and growing fees on third-party sellers. Stacy explains thaREAD MORE


Is Amazon Good for Small Business?

Is Amazon Good for Small Business?

Luke Gannon

November 30, 2021

Stacy Mitchell and business journalist Rana Foroohar teamed up for an Intelligence Squared debate to argue how Amazon is bad for small business.READ MORE


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