01/16/2008
CONTACT: David Raynor, 404-876-8516 or Mike Diegel, 202-314-2004
ATLANTA -- A clear majority -- 62 percent -- of members of the National Federation of Independent Business, Georgia's leading small-business association, favor eliminating Georgia's property tax for both commercial and residential property and expanding the existing sales tax to cover both goods and services, according to the results of the 2008 NFIB Member Ballot, released as the governor prepares to deliver his State of the State speech.
"Unlike other business organizations, NFIB's public policy positions are based on member input, and the Member Ballot is a key part of the process," said David Raynor, state director for NFIB/Georgia. "We count on hearing from our members on a number of critical small-business issues and then we take that message to policymakers."
At the same time, access to affordable health insurance remains a top priority for the 2008 session of the Georgia General Assembly. In its 2007 member survey, NFIB/Georgia found that only 48 percent of respondents indicated they provided health insurance to their employees. Cost was cited as the major factor in providing coverage
The results of a 2008 survey indicate that 75 percent of respondents would like to see small-business tax credits enacted to help offset the ever-increasing costs of health insurance.
In addition, repealing the state's ad valorem business inventory tax will remain a priority in 2008, as Georgia remains one of only 10 states in the nation to levy this tax.
"Georgia's small-business community remains a key driver for continued economic vitality in the state. It's our hope that elected officials will keep this in mind as they set public policy that impacts the business community in the coming months," Raynor said. "Evidenced by our most recent statewide input, NFIB/Georgia members are in real need of relief from excessive taxes and increasing health care costs."
In other areas of concern, an overwhelming 83 percent of NFIB members said they opposed the creation of a state-level Occupational Safety and Health Administration agency, demonstrating the strong feelings about members' need to reduce excessive government regulation.
Other priorities for the 2008 session include finding adequate transportation funding for infrastructure improvements, as well as helping to resolve Georgia's water crisis. NFIB will conduct a more comprehensive survey of its members regarding Georgia's water plan in order to determine the organization's position on this issue.
"Since the data clearly shows that small businesses are creating the majority of the country's new jobs and are driving economic growth, our message to the governor and the Legislature is that we must be sure that any action taken this session considers the needs of the small-business people who make America work," said Raynor.
