Pro-ESOP Bill Introduced in Senate

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ESOP Association expresses strong support for S. 742, the Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2013, introduced April 17, 2013 by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group of Senators including, Roy Blunt (R-MO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and John Thune (R-SD).

S. 742 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Small Business Act to expand the availability of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) in S corporations and expand opportunities for existing S ESOP corporations.

"Needless to say, it is extremely pleasing to see these Senate leaders, representing bi-partisanship, stand up for employee stock ownership through ESOPs, in contrast to the Administration's position that ESOPs do not benefit employees, their companies, and our nation if a company has more than $5 million in revenue per year," said ESOP Association President, J. Michael Keeling. "Research proves that ESOPs, and companies with other forms of employee stock ownership, provide more sustainable employment. For example, according to the 2010 General Social Survey, employee stock owned companies laid off employees at a rate of 2.6% in 2010, whereas the rate for conventionally-owned companies was 12.1%. We need policies to encourage employee stock ownership, and new policies, such as S. 742, to increase ownership among more working Americans."

The ESOP Association is the national trade association for companies with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and the leading voice in America for employee ownership. The core cause of The ESOP Association is the belief that employee ownership will improve American competitiveness, increase productivity through greater employee participation, and strengthen our free enterprise economy. More information: website - www.esopassociation.org and blog – www.esopassociationblog.org.

SOURCE The ESOP Association