10/06/2008
Small business owner wins eminent domain fight
Chalk one up for the little guy. Small business owner Joy Ford successfully battled Nashville's Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency not only to preserve her Music Row business but also to win concessions important to her livelihood.
This summer, the city attempted to seize Ford's property and give the land to a Texas developer, the Lionstone Group, for a proposed hotel and office building.
Irritated and firmly resolved, Ford decided to seek resolution by bargaining with Lionstone. In addition to keeping her building, Lionstone gave her land they owned adjacent to her building. Ford conceded a portion of the back of her property the developer wanted. The result was more net property and the access she needed for her customers.
NFIB joined the Institute for Justice and others in offering vigorous opposition in this outrageous case. NFIB/Tennessee's Leadership Council, comprised of 22 small business leaders, overwhelmingly showed support for Ford, urging immediate action on her behalf.
NFIB's Small Business Legal Center in Washington, D.C., also worked with Ford's lawyer to file a friend-of-the-court brief in support of her right to keep her property
"America is not a dictatorship," said Ford, who joined NFIB this summer. "We have the right to own our own land and our own property without the threat of being moved."
Congratulations, Joy! NFIB salutes your great effort and courage.
Small business speaks up, wins regulatory victory
You may recall a recent Small Business Update about NFIB members expressing concerns of an interpretation of Tennessee law regarding the regulation of signs.
Fortunately, at its September meeting the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners rescinded its earlier recommendation to exempt any non-electrical signs exceeding 32 square feet and/or a maximum of eight feet above grade. The reasoning was the board could not offer a regulation to a law that doesn't exist. The board is accepting input through Dec. 1, at which point it may pursue legislation to require the stamping of certain signs.
NFIB believes the Regulatory Flexibility Law of 2007 had a significant impact in this instance. The state realized it had not conducted an impact analysis on small business, as required by the law. Several small business owners let their concerns known at hearings this year, including one NFIB member in Columbia who noted the cost of a mandatory architectural seal often would exceed the cost of the actual sign. NFIB believes any agency or bill sponsor must prove the need to require sign stamping, including a demonstration of valid safety concerns and the cost of not adopting such a law.
NFIB thanks Sen. Dewayne Bunch and Rep. Kevin Brooks of Cleveland for their work on this issue. NFIB also appreciates the work of Rep. Tom DuBois (Columbia) with a small business constituent and NFIB member and Rep. Susan Lynn (Mt. Juliet) for her sponsorship of the 2007 law that continues to protect small business. Chalk one up for the importance of NFIB member grassroots activism and a strong law passed by good friends of small business.
Members shared views with Secretary Paulson, Sen. Corker
The financial stabilization effort in Congress has sparked much conversation and participation from NFIB members in Tennessee. Before both chambers passed their bills, NFIB hosted several calls with officials in the middle of the debate. NFIB/Tennessee members shared constructive feedback with Sen. Bob Corker, member of the Senate Banking Committee, and participated in calls with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Barry Jackson, assistant to the president for strategic initiatives and external affairs. Thanks to our many activists on all sides of this issue.
CoverTN expands service
Last week, Gov. Phil Bredesen announced CoverTN premiums will not increase in 2009 and the number of coverable primary care physician visits will be doubled to 12 per year. The expanded benefits, which take effect Jan. 1, include:
- Adding a category for specialist doctor visits; members in Plan A and Plan B get up to five visits per year ($15 co-pay each visit) and six visits per year ($20 co-pay each visit), respectively. Previously, specialist visits were counted toward doctor visits in both plans.
- Increasing the number of preventive doctor visits to 12 per year in both plans.
- Removing the quarterly maximum for diabetic medications and supplies in both plans and reducing co-pays from $25 to $10 for diabetic medications and supplies.
Business kindness in Memphis
Members in West Tennessee: Mark your calendars for the Kindness Revolution's Spirit of Kindness Awards to be held at noon Oct. 23 at the Memphis Hilton. Highlights of the program include remarks from Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton and a short seminar on "How to Start a Kindness Revolution in Your Company." More information is available at the Kindness Revolution Web site.
Memphis Area Action Council meeting
Please join us at our monthly Memphis Area Action Council Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Guest speaker is Jim Covington from the Memphis Airport Area Development Corporation. To register, please contact Valerie Nagoshiner at 615-872-5331 or Valerie.Nagoshiner@NFIB.org by noon Oct. 13.
Small business news you can use
Sign petition for healthcare reform
States working on new healthcare programs
Time running out for equipment expensing
Sincerely,
Jim Brown
NFIB/Tennessee State Director
615-874-5288
Jim.Brown@NFIB.org
