06/30/2008
In 2007, NFIB/Rhode Island argued that the Rhode Island State Apprenticeship Council (RISAC) did not properly notify the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of its proposal to adopt apprenticeship ratios, because no study had been done regarding the impact of the new ratios on small business. Rhode Island law requires advance notice to both the governor’s office and EDC of any regulation proposals so that an analysis can be performed to determine the effect on small business.
RISAC relented and submitted its analysis of the affect the proposed regulations would have on small business. However, it wrongfully concluded that the proposed regulations would have a positive impact on small business. The analysis would be laughable if it weren't so costly for Rhode Island small businesses.
Enactment of the regulations has caused countless issues for the small business sector, and as predicted, is already being litigated in the courts. On June 26, a six-month stay of the effective date of the new regulations was entered by the Rhode Island Superior Court. They will not go into effect July 1 and the earliest effective date now would be Dec. 26, unless further stayed by the court or resolved.
