DV Journal

Not everyone gets to make a living doing what they love, but I’m one of the lucky ones.

For more than 60 years, my family has been in the engine business, starting with my father Don’s work on high-performance race engines. Today, at Bolland Machine in Chippewa Township, Pa., we’ve expanded that legacy to serve industries that rely on internal combustion engines to power the economy—including natural gas compression, transportation and agriculture.

Our shop tackles everything from rebuilding Caterpillar and Waukesha engines to fabricating custom air filtration systems that improve performance and reduce emissions. We even design solutions like Closed-Loop Crankcase Vent Systems, which eliminate oily aerosol emissions to protect the environment. Whether it’s a racing engine or a compressor that keeps gas moving through the pipelines, we’ve built our reputation on solving the toughest challenges for businesses that keep America running.

Growing up in New Brighton, Pa., I’ve spent my life around the precision, power, and potential of engines. I’ve worked on them, owned them, and raced them—from motocross bikes to V8 race cars and more.

To me, being a gearhead isn’t just a passion; it’s a way of life.

But today, gearheads like me and millions of others who depend on internal combustion engines are at risk of losing our livelihoods because of Washington policies that push electric vehicles on consumers. These policies, while aiming to promote sustainability, fail to account for the businesses and communities whose livelihoods are tied to traditional vehicles and the energy sources that power them.

To be clear, I’m not opposed to electric vehicles. I respect the choices of those who want them. However, I believe policymakers should respect my freedom—and that of others—to choose vehicles that fit our businesses and lifestyles. Where I live and in my line of work, that freedom is critical.

Consumer choice is at the heart of sound energy policy. That point was featured during the American Petroleum Institute’s 2025 State of American Energy in Washington, D.C., last month, which I attended as a special guest. The event offered a clear connection between consumer freedom and the strength of our nation’s economy, as detailed in API’s Five-Point Policy Roadmap.

Our natural gas and oil producers provide the fuel millions of Americans rely on for their daily transportation. Without the option to choose proven, reliable vehicles, we could all be forced into options that don’t fit our needs.

Unfortunately, agencies like the EPA and NHTSA have pushed policies that would effectively phase out new hybrid and liquid-fuel vehicles through restrictive tailpipe and fuel economy standards. Tailpipe emissions have even dropped thanks to advances in clean fuels and vehicle technology. New cars, trucks, SUVs and buses run about 99 percent cleaner than models produced in 1970. For businesses like mine, overly restrictive policies could threaten our racing future and reduce demand for internal combustion engines, jeopardizing the livelihoods of workers and others who depend on this technology.

But consumer choice is just one part of the equation.

To ensure businesses like mine and others in energy-dependent industries can thrive, we need smart policies that fully leverage America’s natural resources. This includes streamlining the permitting process, implementing sensible tax policies, and strengthening our geopolitical standing with liquefied natural gas and other fuels to help allies. Combined, these steps will solidify America’s leadership for generations, boosting our economy and supporting nearly 11 million jobs—including the ones at Bolland Machine.

The 2024 election made clear that voters support pro-energy policies. Now, it’s time for federal and state elected officials to act. They’ve talked the talk – it’s time to walk the walk. Rolling back harmful regulations like the EPA’s tailpipe rule and reinstating policies that foster energy growth will help us reach our full potential.

My business and others like it depend on affordable, reliable energy, which natural gas and oil provide. We need to produce more of both – for a stable, successful economy that supports businesses like mine and communities across the country.

It’s a new year and new Congress. While most legislation we’ll see this term has yet to be introduced, some of the early bills are out of touch with the needs of most Americans. 

Although many voters supported Donald Trump in the hope that he’ll address practical concerns like tightening border security, ending taxes on tips and lowering the price of eggs, some lawmakers are drifting in a distinctly different direction. 

In just the first few weeks of the 119th Congress, members have introduced bills to buy the Panama Canal, seize Greenland, and abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Unfortunately, there’s not much to gain from splashy proposals that will amount to little more than newspaper headlines and partisan bickering. Instead, Congress should work this year to help America’s small businesses thrive.

Supporting entrepreneurs is the perfect mission for Congress, in part because it’s one of the few remaining bipartisan issues. After all, the nation’s more than 34 million small businesses create jobs in every congressional district, employing 59 million Americans from all backgrounds. Most important, small businesses benefit their communities by creating jobs and boosting local economies. That’s why Congress must try to solve some of the biggest problems holding small businesses back: skyrocketing healthcare costs and a tax code that overwhelmingly favors large corporations.

When it comes to healthcare, the problem is straightforward. Small businesses can’t attract and retain top talent without offering healthcare benefits, but they’re struggling to access coverage for employees that is both high quality and affordable. According to Small Business Majority’s research, most small businesses that provide health benefits have been forced into making changes to their health coverage offerings, with 51 percent increasing employee contributions to their health plans, 47 percent moving to an insurance plan offering more limited coverage, 29 percent cutting other employee benefits and 24 percent dropping coverage altogether due to high costs.

Unfortunately, one of the few solutions to this affordability problem is expiring this year. The American Rescue Plan Act increased the amount of premium tax credits available to purchase health plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, expanding eligibility to individuals with income levels above 400 percent of the federal poverty level. 

The Inflation Reduction Act made these tax credits available through 2025. Notably, small-business owners, their employees and self-employed individuals are significantly more likely to rely on the ACA marketplaces for health coverage. If Congress can’t come to a bipartisan agreement, small-business owners and their employees will shoulder the cost of their inaction through prohibitively high premiums.

When it comes to taxes, we know major changes could be in store this year as key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are set to expire, including the Section 199A pass-through standard tax deduction, which allows pass-through entities (about 95 percent of small businesses) to deduct 20 percent of their qualified business income from their federal taxes. The trouble is that this deduction primarily benefits the wealthiest business owners, with 4.5 percent claiming 69.2 percent of all pass-through deduction benefits. While the richest entities claimed an average deduction of over $1 million in 2021, filers with adjusted gross incomes below $100,000 took home an average deduction of just $1,997.

It’s obvious that the 20 percent standard deduction doesn’t help the average Main Street business. Instead, 199A should be reformed so that small businesses can deduct their first $25,000 of qualified income. This would benefit the vast majority of small businesses with a net income of less than $125,000 yearly, leaving them with more money to reinvest in their business. Reducing inequities in our tax code that disadvantage small businesses will ultimately lead to more economic innovation, local job growth and boost the larger economy.

Instead of indulging expansionist fantasies and dismantling entire government agencies, let’s hope Congress uses its power to improve the lives of average Americans, tens of millions of whom are small business owners. After all, when Congress fails to support small businesses, our entire nation suffers — not to mention the fact that voters elected this Congress with the expectation that it would make a positive difference in their bottom lines. Let’s make 2025 the year in which politicians pledge to put some of their differences aside to help more Americans realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick stopped by a small business in Drexel Hill on Thursday to push back on his opponent’s premise that private companies caused the inflation that has driven up prices about 20 percent since President Joe Biden took office.

And McCormick used former President Donald Trump’s recent stop at a Bucks County McDonald’s to help make his point.

Three-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D) has joined with the Biden administration to blame rising prices on “greedflation,” corporations somehow colluding to drive up prices rather than compete for market share. Economists have widely panned that premise, noting that if “greedy corporations” had the power drive up prices during the Biden presidency, they could have done the same during the Trump, Obama and Bush administrations. too. Why wait and miss all those millions in profits?

No, McCormick told supporters gathered at Drexel Hill Automotive, it’s “because of the weak leadership in Washington, Pennsylvania families and small businesses in our commonwealth are hurting, particularly over the last three and a half years. And we have Kamala Harris and Bob Casey’s extreme liberal policies to thank.

“Their reckless spending in Washington pushed inflation through the roof. They unleashed trillions of dollars of wasteful federal spending that over stimulated the economy,” said McCormick, an Army veteran and business executive. “They pushed an anti-energy agenda that drove up energy costs. Electricity’s up 35 percent. Fuel’s up 50 percent. And it hurt energy jobs.”

McCormick also called Casey out for joining with progressive U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in a letter to McDonald’s CEO CEO Chris Kempczinski, accusing the low-cost, fast-food company of price gouging.

While working families are trying to make ends meet, McDonald’s and its corporate counterparts have continued to grow their profits,” Casey wrote.

“This letter demonstrates a lack of understanding of our franchise business model and contains contortions of facts and many inaccuracies,” the company said in response. “Take the components of the $5 Meal Deal with McChicken, for example, which would have cost 15 percent more in 2020 than they do today. That’s the opposite of price gouging.”

On Thursday, McCormick said he saw politics behind Casey’s complaints.

“This week Bob Casey decided to further twist the knife, basically telling a Pennsylvania McDonald’s franchise that he’s to blame for high prices. It was a vindictive move to score political points, attacking small businesses and employees. This was after President Trump’s visit.

“The very next day, Sen. Casey sent a letter to the CEO of McDonald’s attacking McDonald’s for high prices,” McCormick noted.

Raj Singh owns Drexel Hill Automotive and a family-owned insurance company.

“My business is struggling. Thanks to the sluggish economy, it’s been really tough,” Singh said. “We need some change.

“We tried Bob Casey since 2006 and nothing changed. Dave McCormick, he’s a successful business leader and will fight to lower prices so small businesses like my business can thrive.”

Meaghan Wagner, a lawyer and Upper Darby council member, was also on hand to make the case for McCormick.

“Bob Casey has not stepped foot here in over six years to support any small businesses in Delaware County or Upper Darby,” Wagner said. “He was here once, and that’s for a fundraiser. Where I can tell you David McCormick, just alone this month, has been here in the First District, supporting our small businesses.”

The Casey campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

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State Rep. Melissa Shusterman wants the state to switch from gasoline-powered lawnmowers and other gardening equipment for the good of the planet.

Shusterman (D-Paoli) posted this sponsoring memo on the House website: “Gas-powered lawn and garden tools represent about 85 percent of what is known as small off-road engine (SORE) equipment in the United States. Such equipment is often manufactured without the pollution controls placed on gas-powered vehicles and thus burns a dirtier fuel mix. Moreover, operating a gas-powered commercial lawn mower for one hour emits as much pollution as driving a passenger car about 300 miles.

“Recognizing such a substantial contribution to pollution, more than 100 local governments in the United States have enacted at least partial restrictions on using gas-powered lawn equipment. Similar proposals have been made in Pennsylvania’s neighboring states of New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. During a time when outdoor temperatures are reaching life-threatening levels, we must act with urgency to limit sources of significant pollution, such as gas-powered equipment.

“In an effort to join these states at the forefront of climate stewardship, I am introducing a resolution to establish a Zero Emissions Lawn Care Task Force. The task force would develop a plan to phase out gas-powered lawn and garden equipment in Pennsylvania. In doing so, it would consider issues of affordability and accessibility for disadvantaged communities in its recommendations and establish a plan for an incentive program to encourage the switch to battery-powered alternatives,” she said.

Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association President Dave Taylor was shocked that a Pennsylvania state representative would propose this.

The idea “looks like it was plucked straight from Santa Monica, Calif.,” he said. “And if she thinks Pennsylvania is like California, she’ll find it’s very much otherwise.”

Taylor said we should allow the market to decide whether electric devices will be used rather than having  government regulation mandate them.

“This mindset is part of command and control statism,” said Taylor. “It’s extremely arrogant for a politician to decide what kind of equipment people can or cannot use.”

He said many small businesses are involved in mowing lawns and landscaping, and forcing them to buy new equipment could put them out of business.

“And what about privately owned equipment?” he asked. Would the government “send the state police to people’s homes to check on their lawnmowers?”

“It’s extremely short-sighted and presumptuous,” said Taylor. Lithium-ion batteries to run electric lawnmowers are made in China. Here, there is “zero capacity” to manufacture them. Would Shusterman “approve more lithium mining permits or permits for processing facilities?”

“Greens don’t want mining, manufacturing, and processing,” he said. “They don’t even want the transmission lines that would be needed” to charge all these new electric devices.

“I doubt if Rep. Shusterman spoke to any small business owners,” he said.

Nicholas Froio, a co-owner of Froio’s Lawn& Landscape, a landscaping company in Chester County, said they’ve looked at electric mowers and other equipment for the last five years.

“We’re not against it,” said Froio. “We just ordered six new lawnmowers at $11,000 a piece, and the electric ones are $25,000 to $30,000. They’re 2.5 to 3 times the cost. So, not only is cost an issue but then, let’s talk about run time. You’re not going to be able to get a full day of run time out of an electric lawnmower. So now you have to set up your trailer with some sort of solar charging and things like that to be able to charge on the go.”

“So, you’re just seeing the snowball effect, and that’s kind of the rundown for the mowers. But they have their advantages. The blade time speed is going to be tremendously better because it’s all individual. Each blade has its own motor. So, everything has its advantages. And technically, electricity is cheaper than gas.”

As for handheld tools, “We’re still contemplating having an entire crew on electric. So that’s not out of the question,” said Froio. “Yes, they’re slightly more expensive, but nothing too crazy.”

“But ultimately, it comes down to two things. One, you need a lot of batteries, the capacity, and how long they last. And two, when it comes to a leaf blower, electric can’t produce nearly as much CFMs (cubic feet per minute) as a gas blower.”

Froio does not like the idea of the government mandating a switch.

“If the government wants to give me $20,000 to switch over a crew, I’ll take it,” said Froio. “I’ll switch it over, and you’re not going to hear me complain. But it’s like, do you want to incentivize it? I think it’s part of the whole picture that’s not fully painted.”

“We’re not against it but…I don’t want to be forced to do it,” he added.

Jennifer Brown, a spokeswoman for Shusterman, said “global warming,” is the reason Shusterman is sponsoring a resolution for the task force.

“There were several 60-degree days in February and we haven’t had any snow,” said Brown. “It’s pretty clear our planet is warming. And gas-powered law equipment is one of the biggest reasons.” She noted an article from PennEnvironment shows southeastern Pennsylvania as a heavy emitter of carbon dioxide.

Members of the lawncare industry will be invited to participate, along with scientists and other stakeholders, she said.  The thought is to encourage change with rebates, tax credits and discounts on new electric equipment. They will “collaborate and determine what makes the most sense for business owners,” Brown said.

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“It’s the economy, stupid.”

That was James Carville’s advice to Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Thirty years later, the economy is again a top concern of voters.   However, this time the advice from the small-business community is, “It’s the economy and democracy, stupid.”

Small businesses are raising their voices about protecting democracy. They know that a strong democracy is crucial for a vibrant entrepreneurial economy. The two go hand in hand. Polls show that businesses, small and not so small, are concerned about the state of our nation’s economy and they want Congress to act.

Small businesses thrive when entrepreneurs know that their investment of time and money can lead to successful, profitable businesses for themselves, their families and their communities.

This confidence drops when our democracy is threatened to be replaced by an autocracy, one-party rule, in which government leaders are no longer chosen in free and fair elections. Under autocratic governments in which leaders are not concerned about the opinions of voters, only the politically well-connected are favored by government policies, consumers reduce spending, not all entrepreneurs have access to the marketplace, and successful businesses are in jeopardy of being shut down or taken over by big campaign supporters of those in office. Free market capitalism dies.

After the 2020 election through Jan. 6, 2021, we now know that there was a concerted effort to deny the will of the voters. The congressional hearings have exposed the anti-democracy supporters among us. Had they been successful, America would have been on the path to an autocracy that small-business owners fear.

Fortunately, a bipartisan group of senators understood that Congress needed to protect democracy by reforming the ambiguous 1887 law regarding the federal role in certifying the president and vice president based on state elections. These nine Republicans and seven Democrats have co-sponsored a bill to update and improve the 135-year-old law.

The bill, “Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act,” would provide clear instructions for how states should submit their electors to Congress and how Congress should process and certify the election results every four years.

This bill is not perfect. More needs to be done to ensure that bad state actors do not replace the will of the voters with their own favored candidates. However, the bill is a vast improvement over the current law.

Business for Democracy, a campaign of the American Sustainable Business Network, has launched seven state collaboratives, with more on the way, to use the trusted voice of small businesses to elevate the issue of protecting democracy so that it will be of concern to voters this November.

These state Business for Democracy collaboratives are asking their senators to support the Electoral Count Reform Act. In addition, they are also calling for their states’ congressional candidates to commit to voting next year for two other pieces of legislation, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

These voting reform measures make up the three-legged stool needed to hold up our democracy.

The Electoral Count Reform Act can and should pass this year so that we never have another overt or covert effort to deny the will of the voters as to who will be their president and vice president.

Members of Congress who fail to support this act and congressional candidates who refuse to support the other two bills to protect democracy need to be reminded by voters, “It’s the economy and democracy, stupid.” Then vote accordingly.

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Comcast is reaching out a helping hand to minority-owned small businesses. The technology and communications giant plan to award an additional $1 million in grants and support to minority-owned small businesses as a part of its Comcast RISE initiative. The recent announcement comes two years after Comcast started the program.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, governments shut down many small businesses with dire results. Some went under while others struggled to survive.

“As we continue to rebuild from the effects of the pandemic, small businesses still need our support,” said Dennis Matthew,  Comcast regional senior vice president.

The National Institute of Health reported that in the first five months of the pandemic, small businesses declined by 22 percent, with 3.3 million total small businesses affected. According to the NIH, African-American-owned small businesses declined by 41 percent, Latino-owned businesses declined by 32  percent, and Asian-owned firms by 26 percent.  Female-owned companies are also suffering. The report states that female-owned business activity declined by 25 percent during the same period.

In 2020, Comcast established the Comcast RISE initiative, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment.” The program focuses on businesses owned by people of color, including Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Indigenous Americans.

Comcast originally started the initiative so that financial and technological resources were more accessible to small businesses that needed help in the wake of the pandemic. The program aims to assist underrepresented business owners in achieving long-term sustainability. The RISE program helps them access various financial resources, business support services, and tools necessary to succeed and provides continued support to recipients.

Building on the program’s success, Comcast announced its plans last November to expand its eligibility requirements to all female-owned businesses. Now female business owners will qualify to receive grants and assistance through the Comcast RISE program. Comcast believes that this change in the eligibility requirements will address social inequities and help level the playing field for businesswomen trying to obtain access to resources. The expansion will help female business owners become more successful.

Through its partnership with Ureeka, a website company, the Comcast RISE program has various options for helping grant recipients. Ureeka is a third-party organization that, according to Jen Bilotta, the regional vice president of communications for Comcast in Philadelphia, helps all RISE recipients. Service packages include educational opportunities and mentoring, marketing and advertising through various commercial media channels, technology tools such as digital hardware and business software, and monthly newsletters providing small business owners with information to help businesses succeed.

“In 2021, I was sent a link to apply to the Comcast RISE grant,” said Christina Faith, owner of Creative Thought Media in Philadelphia.  “As a Black entrepreneur, grants often require you to jump through hoops to apply. It was refreshing to receive the funding and resources to support our business. I love that Comcast RISE continued to support us after the resources and grants were deployed. They continually check in to see how we are doing and what other support is needed.”

Since it began, Comcast RISE has awarded grants to 9,500 businesses nationwide, 700 of which were Philadelphia-based small businesses. In 2021, one hundred qualifying Delaware Valley businesses received $1 million in grants. The Comcast RISE initiative has awarded over $16 million in grants and $75 million in marketing and technology support to small businesses nationwide. Comcast expects to help 13,000 more small businesses by the end of 2022.

“Comcast is extremely proud of the initiative’s progress and the businesses it has helped,” Bilotta added.

The program is currently accepting applications for service package grants. The deadline is October 14, 2022, if you are a minority small business owner interested in applying for a grant through the Comcast RISE initiative.

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