03/17/2008
This week in Lansing:
Issues
Energy costs
House legislators are expected to vote this week on a bill that would recreate the electric monopolies that were done away with under Public Act 141, the 2000 law that deregulated electric power. Attorney General Mike Cox calls it a $2 billion tax increase on Michigan ratepayers. In exchange for the favor, the power monopolies would be allowed to charge higher fees and taxes on customers that would be returned to Lansing as money for lawmakers to spend. Estimates are that such a scheme could result in half a billion or more dollars in new revenue to the state. Small business and citizens would foot the bill for this scheme. Call your legislator and tell them to oppose House Bill 5534. More information can be found at www.stopthemonopoly.com.
Employee leave expansion
A package of bills has been introduced by house Democrats that would require employers to allow unpaid leave for up to 12 work weeks for employees that are victims of crime to attend court proceedings.
Immigration and labor
We oppose and will continue to monitor bills before the House Labor Committee that would require employers to serve as the "immigration police". These bills would require companies that are contracted by the state of Michigan to pay back any and all monies received if they were found to employ any illegal aliens -- even if all the documentation was in order. Another bill in this package would require state contracted companies to hire 100 percent Michigan residents -- unless they are union employers.
Health insurance
The long awaited Senate substitutes to the original Blue Cross-supported House bills that would change the rules for the individual health insurance market are expected to be unveiled this week in the Senate Health Policy Committee. There is also talk that the substitutes could be voted on in committee as soon as next week. We are opposed to the House version of the 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
This week the House Tax Policy Committee will hold a hearing on legislation that would remove sales tax collections from the definition of gross receipts on the new Michigan Business Tax. We will be testifying in support of the bill. Also, we have been working with House and Senate leadership to explore options to repeal the MBT surcharge of 22 percent.
Part-time legislature
We'll continue efforts to put a part-time legislature proposal before the voters on the 2008 November ballot. 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. More information can be found on the Committee to Turn Michigan Around Web site.
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 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.
Politics
CandidatesThis week we'll meet with candidate for the Michigan House, John Walsh (Livonia area).
Lawmakers
We'll attend a meeting on Monday with House Appropriations Chair George Cushingberry (Detroit) and other business groups to discuss the 2009 budget.
We'll meet on Thursday with Representative Jeff Mayes (Bay City area) to discuss issues with trucking regulations.
Fundraisers
We'll attend fundraising events on Wednesday morning for state Rep. Tim Moore (Farwell area) and Sen. Nancy Cassis (Novi area). On Thursday we'll attend a fundraiser event for Sen. Alan Sanborn (Richmond Township area).
