Issues in the News

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North Carolina Capitol Corner - May 27, 2005
05/27/2005

Upcoming NFIB Events
Mark your calendar for Small Business Day at the Capitol
June 14
10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Don't miss an opportunity to talk with your state legislators about the issues that affect you and your small business the most – taxes, workers' compensation, health insurance and others.

Legislative Action/Update
House Bill 330 - Living Wage: In a recent NFIB Member Ballot, an overwhelming 82 percent of respondents said they oppose increasing the minimum wage. The proposed bill would increase the minimum wage in North Carolina over a three-year period by $3, a 58 percent increase. According to NFIB's Research Foundation, the passage of this bill could result in a loss of 135,000 jobs in the state. 

A vote on the bill is scheduled for June 1 in the House Commerce Committee. Please take time to call or e-mail members of the committee and express your opposition to House Bill 330. Below is a complete list of the committee membership and contact information.

House Commerce Committee Members

Members

Senate Bill 967 - One North Carolina Small Business Fund - passed the Senate with a unanimous vote (50-0) this week, allowing some of the governor's funds to be used to recruit business to North Carolina to assist small businesses. The legislation provides for a diversion of funds from the One North Carolina Fund to establish the One North Carolina Small Business Fund. It would provide up to $3,000 to assist small businesses in the research or technology area to assist with the grant process. Small businesses that are awarded a grant from the federal government would also be eligible for a state grant up to $100,000 in matching funds. The bill also extends the state's Job Investment Grant program until 2008. 

Workers' Compensation Reform Act: The Workers' Compensation Reform Act (Senate Bill 984) is at a very important juncture. A compromise bill is being worked on, but at this point the coalition's proposed committee substitute has not been released with the changes. It is very likely that NFIB will support the compromise, therefore making it crucial that the members of the Senate Commerce Committee continue hearing from NFIB members in support of critical changes to the Workers' Compensation Act.

Please continue placing calls to members of the Senate Commerce Committee expressing support for Senator David Hoyle's bill. 

Senate Commerce Committee

Members:

Lawmaker Profiles
HopkinsLucas.jpgSenator Jeanne Hopkins Lucas is a retired education administrator and is currently serving her fifth term in the Senate. She holds a bachelor's degree in French and Spanish from N.C. Central University, as well as a master's degree in school administration. 

Sen. Lucas serves as co-chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education/Higher Education and co-chairman of the standing Education/Higher Education Committee. She also serves on Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources, Appropriations/Base Budget, Health Care, Judiciary I, Pensions and Retirement and Aging, Select Committee on the Lottery Bill and Ways and Means.

ray.jpgRepresentative Karen Ray is a business owner and certified court reporter. She received her bachelor's degree from Purdue University. Rep. Ray is currently serving her second term representing Iredell County. 

She received an 82 percent cumulative business rating from NCFREE in 2003. Her committee assignments include: vice-chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety, chairman of the Education Subcommittee on Universities, Appropriations, Commerce, Education, House Select Committee on the N.C. State Employees Disability Plans, Judiciary IV and Public Utilities. 

Status of Monitored Bills
HB 6 Amend Lobbying Laws Judiciary I
HB 20 Small Business Health Insurance Credit Finance
HB 27 ESC Hearings Accommodate Business Activities Senate Commerce
HB 76 Ban Smoking in Restaurants Judiciary IV
HB 330 Living Wage Act Commerce
HB 342 Reduce Franchise Tax Finance
HB 352 Small Business Tax Exemption Finance
HB 397 Apprenticeship Programs Tax Credit Finance
HB 424 Taxpayer’s Protection Act Rules
HB 656 Workers’ Compensation /Self-Insured Guaranty Insurance
HB 684 Garnish Wages to Satisfy Judgments Judiciary II
HB 687 Pirating Movies Appropriations/Base
HB 893 Mental Health Parity Health
SB 145 Streamlined Sales Tax Changes Finance
SB 325 Zero-Based Budget Appropriations/Base
SB 364 Small Business Health Insurance Credit Finance
SB 378 Increase Funding for Small Business Centers Appropriations/Base
SB 664 Small Businesses Regulatory Improvement Act Appropriations/Base
SB 907 Minority Business Certification House/State Government
SB 920 Small Entrepreneur’s Business Grant Appropriations/Base
SB 922 Small Business Friendly Regulation Commerce
SB 923 Labor/Mandatory Lunch Break Commerce
SB 962 Migrant Worker Housing Act Commerce
SB 967 One North Carolina Small Business Fund House Appropriations
SB 984 Amend Workers’ Compensation Act Commerce
SB 1020 Restaurants/Provide Info. On Use of Peanuts Health Care
SB 1043 Workers’ Compensation/Agriculture Workers Commerce
SB 1049 Business Growth and Investment Act of 2005 Finance
SB 1100 Mental Health Parity Commerce
SB 1103 NC Small Business Early Stage Capital Fund Appropriations/Base
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