02/26/2008
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 Hotel in Washington, D.C. Because this is an election year, NFIB is inviting the top presidential candidates to speak. Information about the Summit is available here.
Area Action Council Meetings
Meetings will be April 22-24 in Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Wilmington and Nags Head. Details to come.
Gov. Easley announces green business grant program for small businesses
Gov. Mike Easley has announced that small business owners and entrepreneurs can apply for the new North Carolina Green Business Fund grants. These competitive grants will help small businesses develop promising green and alternative energy technologies to bring cutting-edge, environmentally-friendly products and services to the marketplace.
"These grants will tap our state's entrepreneurial talent and help North Carolina's small businesses develop innovative technologies that are critical to our future growth," Easley said."
The General Assembly approved the Green Business Fund last year and set aside $1 million for the first round of grants. North Carolina-based small businesses with 100 or fewer employees can apply. A company can receive $100,000 per grant. Deadline for applying is April 30. The North Carolina Board of Science and Technology, a division of the state Department of Commerce, is administering the fund. Learn more. Source, Office of the Governor, Feb. 20, 2008
NC Labor Ledger
Read about the annual summary of workplace posting requirements, the decrease in workplace fatalities, North Carolina State University being named an OSHA regional training center and more in this edition of the NCDOL Labor Ledger newsletter.
Federal update
Get your free 2008 IRS tax calendar for small businesses and the self-employed
The 2008 IRS Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed is a ready resource to help small business owners meet their tax obligations. The 36-page, 12-month wall calendar, available in English and Spanish, is packed with useful information on general business taxes, electronic filing and paying options, retirement plans and other issues. For an online version of the calendar, visit www.IRS.gov or call the National Distribution Center at 800-829-3676.
How does the economic stimulus package help small business?
NFIB worked closely with the White House and members of Congress to ensure that the final stimulus package signed into law earlier this month by President Bush would include provisions to help small business owners. The legislation:
- Doubles the current small business expensing limit to $250,000 from $125,000. This provides small-business owners with an immediate deduction for the entire cost of certain investments made in their business, such as purchasing new equipment. This applies only to small-business owners who invest less than $800,000 in their business this year.
- Provides for 50-percent bonus depreciation for certain investments in business. This means a business can take an immediate deduction of 50-percent of the investment, rather than deducting the value over a number of years.
The ADA Restoration Act (House Resolution 3195)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (Md.) sponsored this piece of legislation that would dramatically expand the original American's with Disabilities Act by changing the definition of disability to include even the most minor impairments, such as poor eyesight correctible by glasses. H.R. 3195 is inconsistent with the original intent expressed by Congress to protect individuals who are substantially limited by severe disabilities. The bill would trivialize the concept of "disability" and inappropriately divert employer resources from those who need them most. NFIB continues to monitor the House Judiciary subcommittee hearings held on this bill.
The Healthy Families Act (H.R. 1542/S.910)
Sen. Ted Kennedy (Mass.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.) have introduced the "The Healthy Families Act of 2007." The legislation would require that employers with 15 or more workers provide workers with seven days of paid leave annually. The current law purposefully exempts businesses with fewer than 50 employees because it was passed with the understanding that inflexible, one-size-fits-all leave requirements would seriously undermine the economic viability of small business. This expansion of the law would impose significant costs on small business. NFIB will monitor these hearings when they occur.
Sincerely,
Gregg Thompson
NFIB/North Carolina State Director
gregg.thompson@NFIB.org
