08/28/2007
CONTACT: John Kabateck or Michelle Orrock, 916-448-9904
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The National Federation of Independent Business/California has launched a new Web site to bring small-business owners together to fight passage of AB 8 and the implementation of a 7.5 percent payroll tax.
John Kabateck, executive director of NFIB/California, said, "So far, the debate in the Capitol has focused only on how much small business should pay, not how our state leaders should make health care more affordable for Californians. We are launching this Web site to provide California small-business owners an online sounding board that gives them a chance to vent their frustrations about a mandated payroll tax -- the highest in state history -- and severe the impact it will have on their business and jobs."
In July, a study conducted by NFIB's Research Foundation concluded that AB 8 would cost California businesses 249,000 jobs and $67 billion in sales within the first five years of enactment.
The site features a blog that allows NFIB/California members and other advocates the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss health-care reform. Also featured is an easy-to-use calculator in which small businesses can calculate how much their payroll tax would amount to, as well as various resources and materials related to small-business health-care issues.
On the "Get Involved" page, NFIB members share their stories about how AB 8 would impact their business. Ken Englert with Maritime Communications in Marina Del Ray posted his story on the Web site:
"I am a business owner with six employees (including myself) and I pay for health insurance for my employees. The 7.5 percent tax would cost this business over $5,000 a quarter and could possibly price me out of the health-insurance market. This does not help; it only hurts both business and employees."
The Web site can be found at www.NFIB.com/stopthehealthcaretax.
