Defeated Proposition 1A – new taxes on CA small business

2009
Defeated Proposition 1A – new taxes on small business
We took a formal “oppose” position on Proposition 1A, which would have resulted in a $16 billion tax increase on small businesses. We provided information about the initiative to our members through a special ballot and the results were very clear: members were united in their voice that “enough is enough – no new taxes!” We were the only statewide business group to stand firm in their opposition to this tax-raising measure. On May 19, Proposition 1A was overwhelmingly defeated in the special election.   

Defeated mandated paid sick leave legislation 
We once again took the lead in opposing legislation that would have required employers to provide all employees with up to 9 days of paid sick leave annually. With the help of the NFIB Research Foundation, we showed that this mandate would have cost each California business an average of $30,000 leading to a minimum of 370,000 lost jobs. As a result, we killed this bill in the Assembly.

Defeated government-mandated healthcare legislation
We took on and defeated legislation that would have created another costly, anti-small business mandate: government-run healthcare in California. This bill would have resulted in $100 billion in new taxes on employers and employees. We activated our members around the state, and through outreach to the media and leaders in Sacramento, we were able to defeat this job-killing legislation.

Defeated attempts to raise workers’ compensation premiums
We defeated two bills that would have dramatically increased disability benefits leading to a 30 percent increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Recent courts cases also threaten to rollback the 2004 reforms by eliminating the objective standards for evaluation of injuries and determination of disability benefits. NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center joined the case in defense of the reforms. Our success saved California small businesses about 10 percent on workers’ compensation premiums. We remain vigilant in making sure that the Legislature leaves these reforms alone so that our members can continue to reap the benefits.