Instead of making healthcare more affordable, H.R. 3962 imposes more costs through its expensive employer mandates, punitive payroll taxes and a new government-run program.
Many small employers face double-digit annual increases in their premium costs, and the focus of reform efforts in Madison should be on controlling the cost of care. Adding new mandates to the insurance plans of small employers will only drive up the cost of healthcare.
The state Senate has approved legislation that dramatically increases the penalties for violations of Wisconsin's DO NOT CALL law. NFIB opposed passage in the Senate, and is working to remove the private cause of action provision before the bill is reported to the floor of the Assembly.
Mary Feldt, President and CEO of Madison based Park Towne Management, has been named the NFIB 2009 Small Business Champion in Wisconsin.
The Small Claims Court system offers small business owners an alternative to resolving disputes without engaging the services of costly lawyers. Legislation being drafted would increase the Small Claims Court jurisdiction limit to $10,000, and create a two-tiered filing fee system based on the number of claims filed over a 12-month period.
Building contractors are required to register with the Department of Commerce as a result of an administrative rule change. The rule applies to businesses, including one-person shops, that act as building contractors or subcontractors that are involved in the construction or modification of public buildings, places of employment and one- and 2- family dwellings and are not already credentialed by Commerce.
Policymakers are finally waking up to the realization that mandates are driving up the cost of healthcare in Wisconsin.
NFIB head says president can choose to stand with small businesses who need healthcare reform.
The Legislature is considering several bills that would needlessly expand lawsuits, and put thousands of small business owners at financial risk. If approved, employers coiuld be subject to thousands of dollars in penalties as a result of simply running a credit check on a potential employee.
The trial lawyer lobby was successful in budget provisions that include a new mandate that requires all motorists to carry auto insurance coverage, and also requires that every insurance policy must include coverage for underinsured motorists.
New healthcare mandates signed into law by Gov. Doyle will increase private sector health insurance costs by at least $20 million per year, paid in the form of higher premiums, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
The new state budget includes several provisions that will expand the application of prevailing wage requirements on state, local, and private building projects. The law also creates new compliance and reporting requirements.
"We are very pleased the court ruled in favor of small business and decided that Milwaukee's paid sick day ordinance is unconstitutional."
Wisconsin cannot promote job growth and small business cannot create jobs in a legal climate of uncertainty and unfairness.
The Joint Finance Committee has approved a biennial budget proposal that is loaded with tax and fee increases, higher spending, and more borrowing to meet the state’s fiscal responsibility of a so-called balanced budget. The 12 - 4 straight party-line vote came during the early morning hours following a week of closed door meetings, and finally a 12-hour executive session of the Joint Finance Committee. The bill now goes to the Assembly, where a vote is expected during the week of June 9th.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach (Middleton) has announced he plans to revive his Healthy Wisconsin proposal and will introduce legislation sometime over the next “3-4 months.” According to Sen. Erpenbach, although Healthy Wisconsin remains a “strong plan” for the state, he does not plan to introduce it as an amendment to the state budget which is currently being debated in Madison.
U.S. Rep. Kind has worked hard to help small business owners in Wisconsin and nationwide have more affordable healthcare options for themselves and their employees. He understands that small business owners are our country’s job creators and need relief from these ever-increasing and unsustainable costs.
Yesterday, in a significant victory for small business owners, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that an insurance company must fully defend and indemnify asbestos and environmental claims filed against their policyholders.
Read the special NFIB member report on getting involved in Wisconsin, February/March 2009 edition.
NFIB is a strong advocate for the free market, fair competition, and a level playing field. Too often, small business doesn't get an equal and fair opportunity to compete for a share of the state's purchasing dollars. Although small business can be a fierce competitor with big corporations and big box chains, the state's procurement process often denies small business an equal and fair opportunity for a share of the state's procurement dollar.
You are invited to attend the Seventh Annual 2009 Business Day in Madison, Wisconsin's premier legislative event, bringing more than 1,000 business leaders together with policymakers to discuss the most important issues facing our state. In these challenging economic times, it is extremely important, and now more than ever, for the business community to communicate with your legislators and elected government officials to ensure their understanding of what it will take to strengthen the economy and create jobs in Wisconsin.
Your legislators' voting record on small business issues, 2008 edition.
The political action committee of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small business association, has announced its endorsement of candidates in Wisconsin for reelection to the U.S. Congress. NFIB supports candidates who have pro-small business voting records and are strong advocates for small business owners.
After years of political activism and recruiting pro-small business candidates to run for office, Robin Vos decided to take his own advice in 2004 and ran for the state Assembly. Now in his second term, Vos continues to grow the business he has run since 1996 -- RoJo's Popcorn Company -- while pushing an agenda in the Capitol to improve the climate for small employers all across Wisconsin.
The National Federation of Independent Business, the state's leading small-business organization, has released the results of a 2008 Member Ballot that indicates small business supports legislation that requires greater price disclosure for medical procedures. The survey also showed small-business owners strongly back state tax law changes to allow tax-free contributions to health savings accounts.
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