03/24/2008
This week in Lansing:
Legislature
Michigan House
The Michigan House is on spring break this week. They are scheduled to return on April 8.
Michigan Senate
The Michigan Senate will be in session this week and they will recess for spring break next week and will return on April 15.
IssuesPart-time legislature
Petition Distribution Sites Needed: Your help is needed to put a part-time legislature proposal before the voters on the 2008 November ballot. We are looking for members to distribute petitions in their area. As a distribution site you would be identified by address and name to members and the general public in your area as a location where petitions could be obtained. If you are interested in helping out, e-mail NFIB/Michigan State Director Charles Owens with your contact information. 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 at the Turn Around Michigan Web site.
Taxes
This week the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on two bills that would make changes to the new Michigan Business Tax to address problems identified with contractors with the new tax and what can be deducted from gross receipts. NFIB will be supporting the bills. We continue to work with House and Senate Leadership to explore options to repeal the MBT surcharge of 22 percent.
Health insurance
Last week the Senate Health Policy Committee introduced substitutes to the original Blue Cross supported House bills that would change the rules for the individual health insurance market. The Senate Substitutes include some of the changes proposed from the House package but stop short of including the more controversial provisions such as a high risk pool and removing Attorney General oversight from Blues rate increases. Sen. George indicated during the Committee hearing that he would be holding more hearings on the new bills over the next four to six weeks. At the time of this writing, Senate Health Policy had not posted a hearing for this week.
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.
Opinion
An opinion-editorial written by NFIB/Michigan State Director Charles Owens ran in the Friday Lansing State Journal. Read "Lansing taking Hollywood's cue on fantasy" in full.
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.
