07/ 25/ 2007
by NFIB President and CEO Todd Stottlemyer
When I came on board at NFIB in February of last year, I was certainly aware of the respect the organization had from policymakers, both here in Washington, D.C., and around the state capitals. Experiencing that reality over the past 16 months has driven home what kind of clout that you, our members, have earned.
Readers will remember that the April/May issue of MyBusiness featured an article about Thomas Johnson, a member from Lynchburg, Va., who participated in a White House meeting on health care. The president heard firsthand about the difficulties that small-business owners like Thomas have in trying to find affordable health care for employees.
Thomas not only told his story to the president but also to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and National Economic Council Chairman Al Hubbard. Surrounded by CEOs from nine of the largest health-care providers in the country, Thomas was the only one who could speak up for his fellow entrepreneurs, and he represented you extremely well.
Similarly, we were asked in June to participate in an important White House meeting to discuss immigration reform with President Bush, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. I was joined by Brad Eiffert, NFIB's chairman, who spoke about our significant issues with the immigration bill (see page 25B for more on this story). Brad was able to convey your particular concerns, as expressed by our Member Ballots, especially the proposed electronic verification system and the penalties associated with non-compliance, should the bill become law. As you know, there are many organizations in D.C., but not many can offer you the chance to communicate directly with the president and members of his cabinet.
Your influence extends to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue as well. For example, not long after Thomas met with the president, I was invited to a dinner with 12 Senate leaders to discuss health-care solutions, along with the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and two leading health-care researchers. In addition to my presentation, I had an opportunity to remind the group that the most recent economic statistics show that only businesses with fewer than 500 employees are actually creating net new jobs. Yet, as you know, it's these same employers who can't afford health insurance for their employees.
It's this recognition of how important entrepreneurs are to America's economy—that you matter to our economic health—that make other key players in the health-care debate, including Sens. Max Baucus, Dick Durbin and Ron Wyden, seek meetings with NFIB to hear about your concerns.
It's no different in the state capitals. When lawmakers face tough issues, they are turning to NFIB to be sure that our interests are considered. To cite just three examples, Ty Pine, Ohio's legislative director, was appointed by the Legislature to a task force that made recommendations on strengthening that state's eminent-domain laws. Tennessee's Gov. Phil Bredesen had extensive consultations with NFIB staff and members during the planning and implementation of the CoverTN health-care plan.
Most recently, Texas Executive Director Will Newton was appointed to the state comptroller's Technical Advisory Committee, which will make recommendations on tax issues. NFIB is the sole business organization on the committee.
All of this is made possible because you have come together to form an organization that is second to none in its ability to wield your collective clout. We do it with pride, knowing that we represent the very best that America has to offer.
P.S. Enclosed with this issue of MyBusiness is a copy of the new NFIB Guide to Data Security: How to Protect Your Business and Your Customers From Data Fraud. This is the second in a series of publications designed to help members better run their business. I hope you find it useful. We welcome your thoughts about this publication and the magazine at feedback@mybusinessmag.com.
