03/10/2008
This week in Lansing
Issues
Part-time legislature
NFIB will formally announce Tuesday that we are joining forces with the Committee to Turn Michigan Around to put a proposal to create a part-time legislature before the voters on the 2008 November ballot. The Committee to Turn Michigan Around is a ballot-initiative committee formed by the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Homebuilders Association of Greater Kalamazoo. This decision was made after the results of the 2008 Member State Ballot survey, conducted in late fall of 2007 through early 2008, indicated that just over seventy percent of the members responding supported a move to a part-time legislature. The ballot proposal would limit the legislature to meeting a maximum of 100 session days that would need to be completed no later than May 31 each year. In addition, the proposal advocates the elimination of lifetime benefits for legislators, and to cut their pay by at least half. The proposal also calls for the elimination of term limits.
Ergonomics
This week NFIB and other business groups met with the Detroit News editorial board to discuss the MIOSHA ergonomics rule issue. NFIB is continuing work to focus media attention on efforts by the administration and MIOSHA to move forward on the unnecessary rule despite Michigan's struggling business climate. A transcript of the NPR radio broadcast on the issue from last week can be heard online.
Health insurance
NFIB will be in the Flint area on Tuesday as part of a panel sponsored by the Divided We Fail coalition to explore options and solutions to the challenge of health insurance coverage in Michigan. The event will be held at the Genesys Conference and Banquet Center, 805 Health Park Blvd. Grand Blanc from 8-10 a.m. For more information contact Amanda Radaz at 517-485-3409.
We continue to wait for Senate substitutes to the original House bills that would allow Blue Cross to extend the pre-existing conditions waiting period from six months to one year, rate on the basis of age, end Attorney General oversight on rate increases and allow the Accident Fund (owned by Blue Cross) to engage in other lines of insurance. The bills would also require other health insurance carriers to subsidize Blue Cross losses in the individual market by participating in a high risk pool managed by Blue Cross.
Taxes
NFIB will be working with the House Tax Policy Committee Chair Rep. Steve Bieda (Warren area) to work on bills to remove sales tax collections from the definition of gross receipts on the new Michigan Business Tax. We will also be working on bills to give business flexibility on the filing and payment of estimated taxes.
Budget
Appropriations subcommittees of both chambers will be meeting this week and in the coming weeks to finalize the 2009 state budget.
NFIB 2008 agenda
The NFIB Small Business Agenda is available for review. Remember that this is really your agenda as we at NFIB respond to your priorities and concerns via your votes on member ballots and surveys.
NFIB membersApril Area Action Council Meetings Announced
Employment Law 101 for Small Business: Human Resource Basics and Immigration Compliance
These meetings will feature information on labor law from NFIB Legal Foundation Attorney Beth Milito.
During this meeting you will learn:
- Do you know what you can and can't say/ask in a want ad or at an interview?
- Do you fully understand all of the new state and federal immigration laws and your responsibility as a business owner?
- Do you have problems managing and disciplining difficult employees?
- Are you concerned about protecting your business from discrimination and retaliation lawsuits?
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
7:30 a.m.: Flint area at Courtyard by Marriott
12 p.m.: Sterling Heights area at Hampton Inn.
4 p.m.: Clarkston area at Shepherd's Hollow Golf Course
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
7:30 a.m.: Novi area at Country Inn & Suites
12 p.m.: Jackson area Cascades Manor House
4 p.m.: Lansing area at Courtyard by Marriott
Thursday, April 10, 2008
7:30 a.m.: Kalamazoo area at ServiceMaster
12 p.m.: Grand Rapids area at Holiday Inn Express
3:30 p.m.: Holland area Hampton Inn
For more information, contact Amanda Radaz at 517-485-3409.
2008 National Small-Business Summit in Washington, D.C.
Join other small business owners from around the country at the 2008 National Small-Business Summit in Washington, D.C., June 8-10. For more information, please visit www.NFIB.com/summit
PoliticsCandidates
This week NFIB will meet with candidates for the Michigan House Peter Pettalia (Alpena area) and Dan Tietema (Grand Rapids area).
Lawmakers
NFIB will meet on Thursday with Rep. Jeff Mayes (Bay City area) to discuss issues with trucking regulations.
