02/11/2008
Upcoming NFIB events
2008 Small-Business Summit
This year's 2008 NFIB National Small-Business Summit will be June 8-11 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C. Since this is an election year, NFIB is inviting the top presidential candidates to speak. Information about the Summit is available at www.NFIB.com/Summit.
Save the dates!
Area Action Council meetings are scheduled for April 22-24 in Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Wilmington and Nags Head. Details will be announced later.
Tax relief reminder
In 2006, NFIB helped pass legislation providing a $250 tax credit to small businesses with 25 or fewer employees that that provide health insurance to their employees who earn $40,000 or less a year. The employer must also pay at least 50 percent of the insurance costs. The law became effective Jan. 1, 2007.
In addition, NFIB protected this tax credit from being repealed by the state Senate last year, saving small businesses across North Carolina $16.2 million dollars.
If your business meets the criteria, please make sure that you take advantage of this tax credit and remind your accountant that it is available.
This has the potential of providing your business with a tax credit in excess of $6,000 this year!
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J.R. Hill, Hill's Lexington Barbeque |
Fifty-year member recognized
Hill's Lexington Barbecue in Winston-Salem was recently recognized for 50 years of strong, loyal support to NFIB, the largest small-business advocacy group in North Carolina.
NFIB Field Sales Representative Vickie Christensen presented the 50-year member plaque to owner J.R. Hill to commemorate the occasion. Hill's Lexington Barbecue was founded in July 1951 by J.R.'s grandparents, Joe and Edna Hill. Edna, with the help of her son, Gene, ran the day-to-day business of the area's original Lexington-style "hot from the pit" barbecue. Two of Gene's five children took over the business about 20 years ago. J.R. and Sharon Schoderbek continue the family tradition of great food and Southern hospitality of this landmark restaurant. Some of the original recipes used in 1951 are still being used today.
The restaurant employs about 25 people, and cashier and host Jean Hawkins has been there for 27 years. J.R., who gets to work at 5:30 a.m., says, "Running a restaurant is hard work," often demanding 15-hour days serving three meals a day. "Finding quality employees, keeping the restaurant at a consistently high level of service/safety standards and continuing to keep competitive prices for our customers are some of their day-to-day challenges," J.R. said.
That is why the restaurant's support of NFIB has been so strong over the years. J.R. said, "NFIB stands for all the things that make this country great: fighting for less taxes, regulatory reform, affordable and accessible health care, and continually advocating for small business in Raleigh and Washington. That's why I believe NFIB is the No. 1 organization for small and independent business in the nation."
If you visit Hill's Barbeque and are a small-business owner, take the opportunity to ask J.R. and Sharon about why they believe it's important to get involved with NFIB, an organization that is committed to helping small businesses grow and prosper.
NFIB Legal Foundation provides latest guides
The NFIB Legal Foundation provides valuable information for your business. The newest compliance guides available free to NFIB members include:
- The NFIB Guide to Wage and Hour Laws, which gives employers the details behind the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal wage and hour law.
- The NFIB Guide to Managing Unionization Efforts, which helps independent business owners know their rights and responsibilities during a union organizing campaign.
For additional valuable information for your business, visit www.NFIB.com/Legal.
Time to know where to get your state tax forms
Whether you are just starting a new business or you have been in business for a while, the North Carolina Department of Revenue business section will help you find the tax information you need. For details, click on, www.dor.state.nc.us/business.
Small Business and Entrepreneurial Summit
The North Carolina Entrepreneurial Summit will be Feb. 26 in Greensboro. Please plan to attend, and encourage policymakers, economic developers, local officials and business-funding sources to be there, as well, so they can learn more about the issues affecting small businesses. For more information, click on, www.ncentresummit.org
Federal Update
Economic stimulus package
NFIB is happy to announce that the economic stimulus package deal approved by Congress includes key provisions that NFIB lobbied for, including increasing the dollar amount for small-business expensing limits and the 50 percent bonus depreciation deduction.
On Jan. 25, NFIB Executive Vice President Dan Danner issued the following statement: "Over the past several weeks, NFIB has worked with Members of Congress and the White House to ensure that small businesses would be a primary focus as Congress moves forward with an economic stimulus plan. We are very pleased that the deal announced today includes many of the key tax provisions which NFIB listed as our top priorities for any economic stimulus package."
How Congress voted -- 110th Congress
When you joined NFIB, we promised to monitor every key small-business vote your lawmakers cast. NFIB stays on top of legislation that is important to you. We meet with lawmakers, ask members to speak out on key issues and make sure you see the results through reports such as this one. Find out how your lawmakers are helping -- or hurting -- small business with a few clicks.
Important Primary Election dates
- Monday, Feb. 11: Candidate Filing Begins (12 p.m.)
- Friday, Feb. 29: Candidate Filing Deadline (12 p.m.)
- Thursday, April 17: Early voting for Primary Election begins (one-stop)
- Saturday, May 3: Early voting for Primary Election ends
- Tuesday, May 6: Primary Election day
- Tuesday, May 24: Run-off Primary Election day
Sincerely,
Gregg Thompson
NFIB State Director/North Carolina
Gregg.Thompson@NFIB.org
