04/ 02/ 2008
Small Business Legal Center Scores Key Victories in New Jersey and Florida
New Jersey Superior Court in February decided an important eminent domain case in favor of small business owners. The court listened to NFIB's Small Business Legal Center and ruled that the property in question, a commercial center containing 20 mom-and-pop businesses, was not blighted, and therefore, could not be taken by the government for a redevelopment project.
"This is an important decision for small business owners and all private-property owners in New Jersey," says Karen Harned, executive director of NFIB's Small Business Legal Center. "Private-property owners deserve to know that their property will not be taken away from them simply because some third party wants to redevelop it. NFIB is excited about this victory and will continue to fight eminent domain abuse across the country."
NFIB Defends Florida's 2003 Workers' Comp Reforms
This fall, the Florida Supreme Court will hear a case challenging the constitutionality of the 2003 workers' compensation reforms. NFIB's Legal Center will ensure that the court hears the small business perspective on this issue and will urge the court to uphold the reforms.
The main thrust of the reforms was the ability to rein in obscene attorney fees.
"Due to the commonsense changes made to the system, workers' compensation rates have declined throughout the state and business owners are protected from attorneys who purposely rake up the number of hours they spend on workers' compensation claims," says Harned. "NFIB's Legal Center warned the court that any changes made to the 2003 laws would undoubtedly burden small business owners in Florida and hurt the state's economy."
