State Director Denny DeWitt reports from Juneau on the small-business agenda for the legislative week ending May 12.
“I have never understood why it is greed to want to keep the money you’ve earned, but not greed to want to take somebody else’s money.” — Thomas Sowell, economist.
House Bill 115, the income tax bill, was defeated on the Senate floor May 12 on a vote of 4 yes and 15 no. NFIB strongly opposed the bill. It was a Key Vote for NFIB, which delivered its notice to all senators.
Contraceptive Coverage
House Bill 25, mandating 12-month contraceptive coverage in insurance plans, passed out of the House Finance Committee May 12. NFIB continues its opposition to mandated of any kind. During committee discussions, Rep. Tammie Wilson continued to reference NFIB’s opposition and reasons for that opposition. The bill passed on a 7-4 vote.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
House Bill 142, which would increase the unemployment insurance benefit and tax, was heard and held in the House Finance Committee. NFIB informed the committee of its opposition.
Conference Committees
The Legislature has scheduled a conference committee on the budget bills, scheduled a joint session to consider the Gov. Bill Walker’s appointments, and scheduled conference committee on Senate Bill 26 dealing with the permanent fund dividend and earnings reserve. It is likely that the Legislature may extend for the allowable 10 days beyond the constitutional 121-day limit, but the end may be in sight.
Previous Reports, Related News Releases, and Editorials
May 9 Editorial—Fundamental Income Tax Lessons for Alaska
May 5 Report—Income Taxes, Petroleum Taxes, and Little Else
April 28 Report—Which Will Cave First Over State Income Tax. House or Senate?
April 21 Report—One Adjournment Deadline Ignored. Will a Second Be?
April 14 Report—NFIB Victory: Independent Contractors Pulled out of State’s Crosshairs
April 7 Report—NFIB Forcing Legislature to Practice What it Preaches
March 31—NFIB Testifies in Favor of Tougher Petty Theft Penalties
March 24 Report—Hearings on a New State Income Tax Take Center Stage
March 17 Report—NFIB Victory: Deceptive Income Tax Proposal Put Aside
March 10 Report—NFIB, State Still Far Apart on Defining Independent Contractors
March 3 Report—NFIB to Fight Alaska bid to Spike UI Wages
February 24 Report—Gas Tax Increase, State Income Tax Bills Still Alive
February 17 Report—NFIB to Testify Against Assault on Independent Contractors
February 10 Report—NFIB Looking at Four Fixes to Omnibus Crime Bill
February 3 Report—Flaw in SB 91: What Penalty for Petty Theft?
January 27 Report—Independent Contractors Once Again in Crosshairs of Alaska Legislature
January 20 Report—Costly Bills Make Return Engagement in Juneau
January 5 News Release—Poll: Alaska Should Not Be in The Retirement Business
[Tile photo of Senate Finance Committee courtesy of The Alaska State Legislature website.]