Aide State Coordinator News Today

A Goldman Sachs survey finds that 70% of small business owners give the federal government a grade of "C or below" for the effectiveness of programs, services and tax credits available to them. An overwhelming majority say it is important for Congress to modernize the Small Business Administration. The SBA is the government agency tasked with ensuring the health and vitality of the nations entrepreneurial community. ...

For their next act in life, retired attorneys in Montana are providing free legal advice on civil matters over the phone. The Second Act Justice Project from the Montana Legal Services Association recruits emeritus volunteers - that is, lawyers who are retired but have active attorney status - so they can provide pro bono advice for low income Montanans. Dan McLean is one of about 70 active volunteers. ...

The program is geared toward people with low to moderate incomes and can help people of any age.

Victims of investment-related fraud in North Dakota could soon recoup some of their losses through a proposed restitution fund. A bill to establish that kind of assistance recently cleared the state Senate. The measure, which now moves to the House, would offer payments if efforts to collect restitution, ordered by the state, are unsuccessful. ...

Tax time is here again. Between now and mid-April, Idahoans in need of assistance can find free help across the state through the AARP Foundations Tax-Aide program. There are 26 Tax-Aide 26 sites set up across the state. ...

A new report asks lawmakers and regulators to look at why some unsafe products arent recalled sooner, and what can be done to get them off the market more quickly to keep people safe. The report analyzed more than 3,600 complaints filed last year, and 292 recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Some 22% involved injuries or death. ...