NFIB

NFIB/Alabama Legislative Links -- March 28, 2008
03/28/2008

State

NFIB hosts 'Day at the Capitol'

(l to r) Rep. Steve Clouse, Senator Harri Anne Smith, Allen McBride, Stacia Robinson, Mike Fricker at NFIB/Albama Day at the Capitol

NFIB members from across Alabama gathered at the Alabama State House to host a breakfast brunch for Alabama constitutional officers and members of the Legislature. The brunch was catered by NFIB member Leslie Bailey's Silver Spoons in Montgomery. NFIB members Allen McBride, Mike Fricker, Don Morgan, Stacia Robinson, Chuck Edwards, Rick Weston, Brett Dungan, Greg Powell, Jean McCrady, David Brewer, Bobby Davis, Dottie Blair, David Larson, Sieu Tang Wood, John Beard and Paul Pinyon were a few of the NFIB members who welcomed Attorney General Troy King, State Auditor Sam Shaw, State Treasurer Kay Ivey and many legislators.

Gov. Bob Riley and Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks regretted they could not attend. Some of the legislators that stopped by to visit with NFIB members included NFIB Sens. Del Marsh, Tripp Pittman, Harri Anne Smith, Arthur Orr and NFIB Representatives Jay Love, Randy Wood, Warren Beck, Steve Clouse, Steve McMillan to name just a few of the legislators that stopped by to visit with Alabama small business owners.

Montgomery-area tailor named Small Business Champion for Alabama

2008 Small Business Champion in Alabama Sieu Tang Wood with NFIB/Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash

Sieu Tang Wood, founder and owner of Tang's Tailor in the Montgomery area, was named the 2008 Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion for Alabama. She immigrated to United States 35 years ago with $275 and built a nationwide business. She serves on NFIB's Leadership Council, advising the association on issues affecting small business owners. She has contributed to the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation, and her donations helped establish the fully funded endowed Alabama NFIB scholarship.

NFIB-backed legislation in committee
NFIB Leadership Council members attended the public hearing on the NFIB-backed SUTA legislation in the Senate Business and Labor committee. Sen. Roger Bedford (Russellville) and Rep. Frank McDaniel (Albertville), sponsors of the legislation, addressed the committee along with NFIB/Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash. Sen. Bedford and Rep. McDaniel urged committee members to pass the legislation out of committee. 

Leadership Council adds members
The Alabama Leadership Council elected five new members to the 35 member council. Janet Seaman, Seaman Lumber Co., Montevallo; Greg Powell, fi-plan Partners, Birmingham; Les Barnett, Barnett Family Farm, Mobile; Shane Coker, Coker's Body Shop, Northport; and Linda Hammer, Hammer Construction, Samson. The members of the Leadership Council, through their voluntary participation, are committed to promoting and carrying out the principles embodied in the philosophy and Mission Statement of NFIB.

Federal

NFIB members hosts Sen. Jeff Sessions
NFIB members Linda and Sandy Hammer hosted an event for U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions at their business, Hammer Construction, in Samson. Sen. Sessions briefed the crowd on pending issues in Washington and discussed the importance of small business in the U.S. economy. NFIB/Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash was joined by other NFIB members including Brett Ballard, Southern Independent Bank, Opp; Scotty Short, Scotty Short Development LLC., Opp; Bill Carr, Carr, Riggs and Ingram, Enterprise; and Britt Finch, Carr, Riggs and Ingram, Geneva.

New I-9 Form now in effect
The new I-9 Employee Eligibility form is now in effect. NFIB's Legal Foundation has posted guidelines and forms to help you avoid fines of up to $1,100 for non-compliance with new requirements. As of March 27, fines for non-compliance will increase by 25 percent. A first-time violation can result in a fine of up to $3,200 and multiple violations can lead to fines of up to $16,000. Please visit NFIB.com often to keep an eye on the latest developments. For a copy of the form, please call the Montgomery office at 334-264-2261.

2008 Small Business Summit set for June
Registration has begun for the 2008 Summit. The theme of the 2008 event is We Are Stronger Together. Two spectacular events are planned in the newly renovated National Portrait Gallery and historic Union Station. Roger Staubach, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current entrepreneur will be on of the featured speakers. Participants will make Hill visits to their U.S. Representatives and Senators. Find out more at www.NFIB.com/Summit

If you have any questions, please call the Montgomery office at 334-264-2261.

Sincerely,
Rosemary Elebash
NFIB/Alabama State House
Rosemary.elebash@nfib.org