02/18/2008
CONTACT: Derrick Sontag, 785-354-9374 or Todd Pack, 615-872-5897
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Members of the National Federation of Independent Business, the state's largest small-business group, overwhelmingly support a measure that would let businesses deduct the full cost of capital expenditures from their state income taxes, according to the results of the 2008 NFIB Member Ballot released today.
"Unlike other business groups, NFIB bases its public-policy positions in big part on input from our members," said Derrick Sontag, state director of NFIB/Kansas.
On the question of whether they support a bill to allow businesses to deduct from their state income taxes the full cost of expenditures on capital investments, 81.6 percent of members who returned their ballots answered "yes." Only 10.8 percent opposed the measure, while 7 percent were undecided.
"Allowing businesses to deduct capital expenditures from their state income taxes would be a great help to our members," Sontag said.
"Small business is the heart of the state's economy," Sontag said. "Small business employs two-thirds of the state's private workforce. Small-business owners need the Legislature to support bills that would encourage them to add jobs and grow their companies."
On a separate question, 88.2 percent of respondents were against legislation that would require businesses to help cover the cost of health insurance for their employees.
"Our members tell us health care is their No. 1 issue, but NFIB members do not need another mandate from state government," Sontag said. "Small-business owners face enormous challenges and operate on thin profit margins, so they should be the ones to decide whether they pay anything toward their workers' health benefits, not legislators."
