NFIB

Action opportunity
Member Ballot: At any given time in South Carolina, there are hundreds of pieces of state legislation being considered that could directly affect your ability to operate and profit from your business. The Member Ballot lets members like you tell Governor Sanford and the members of the SC General Assembly where small business stands on those issues. NFIB/South Carolina is currently working on our next ballot. We are looking for issues that concern you. If there are any issues you think we should include on this year's ballot, please contact State Director Wendy Homeyer or Member Support Manager Katie Jones.

Save the date
"ETV Forum": NFIB/South Carolina State Director Wendy Homeyer will be a guest on "ETV Forum" with host Beryl Dakers discussing the economic downturn on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. To learn more, click ETV.  

Immigration reform event: You must understand your obligations under South Carolina's new immigration reform law. Led by immigration attorney Lee Depret-Bixio, this seminar will include topics to include a new legislation overview, deadlines, penalties, steps to compliance and E-Verify. The dates and cities can be found online. If you would like to attend, or if you have questions, contact Katie Jones at 404-876-8516.

News you can use
GSA Business: NFIB/South Carolina State Director Wendy Homeyer has a column in the current issue of the upstate-area business publication about "card check." Card check would let unions organize a workplace simply by "persuading" a majority of employees to sign cards authorizing union representation. It wouldn't matter that South Carolina is a right-to-work state; once a majority of employees sign cards, a workplace would be unionized. Big Labor is pressing hard for Congress to change the rules to allow card check in place of secret ballots. NFIB opposes card check because of what it would mean to small business owners who already are struggling with soaring healthcare and energy costs.
Greenville News: Business license fees increase for some in Easley
Charleston Post and Courier: McConnell Calls for Comprehensive Energy Plan 
Charleston Post and Courier: Voters must register by Oct. 4
SCNOW.COM: Georgetown woman admits scamming workers' comp for 15 years
NY Times: Small Businesses Seek Clarity From Presidential Candidates

Looking for a few good small businesses
The U.S. Small Business Association is looking for nominees for the 2009 National Small Business Week Nominations. Please visit their Web site to find links for the nomination guidelines and additional nomination assistance. 

Small business resources
Question about environmental regulations and don't have the resources to hire an environmental consultant? Contact the South Carolina Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Contact Small Business Ombudsman Phyllis Copeland for free and confidential information about navigating SC DHEC. 

Your feedback is requested and appreciated. Please contact Wendy Homeyer and let her know what other type of information would be useful to include in this Update.