04/23/2008
The Alaska State Legislature adjourned around 1 p.m. April 13. NFIB/Alaska had a successful year representing the concerns of its membership.
The Legislature voted to reduce the business license fee to more closely reflect the cost of the licensing program. The fee will be reduced from $100 to $50 annually. Many NFIB members were helpful in contacting their legislators explaining the unfairness of using the fee as a hidden tax to support other functions of government.
The Unemployment Insurance Program received much attention. The benefit was increased for the first time in 11 years, but it was balanced partially by increases in the eligibility level and reduction in the employer share of the premium. In future discussions, both employers and employees will be affected by talk of benefit increases.
NFIB was successful in stopping several attempts to legislate employment practices such as providing private places and time off for nursing mothers to nurse or express milk, paid time off for organ donors and mandatory sick leave.
We fought off many attempts to mandate insurance benefits including, mandatory employer paid health insurance and mandated coverage for specific benefits such as mental health coverage, well-baby visits, clinical trials participation and dependent coverage to age 26.
There were other anti-business bills that NFIB helped kill, including attacks on workers' compensation reforms secured in the past four years, shifting local property taxes more heavily onto businesses, support for federal "card-check" legislation, and regulation of the use of plastic bags and radio frequency identification devices used primarily to track inventory.
It was an exciting and active time for NFIB. The first 90-day session ended with small business counting its victories. Those victories will be challenges in the next legislative session. NFIB members need to develop relationships with their legislators to let them know how state regulations hamper your ability to prosper. Remind them that it is small business that is the backbone of Alaska's economy and that they need to help you so you can continue to employ Alaskans.
If you have any questions or suggestions for next year's legislative agenda, contact Alaska State Director Denny DeWitt or Member Support Manager Stacy Jenkins. With any grassroots questions on this or other issues, please contact Jenkins toll free at 866-307-2846.
