Alaska Small-Business News From NFIB

Alaska State Legislature Adjourns

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

The Alaska State Legislature adjourned around 1 p.m., Sunday, April 13. NFIB/Alaska had a very successful year representing the concerns of its membership.

Business License Fee Reduction in Alaska

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

In 2003 Gov. Frank Murkowski introduced legislation to increase the business license fee from $25 per year to $200 per year. The Legislature ultimately passed legislation to increase the fee to $100 per year.

Tort Reform: Appeal Bond Cap in Alaska

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

Upon completion of an action in the trial courts, Alaska requires a defendant to post an appeal bond in order to stay an adverse judgment while they appeal, and Alaska Courts have the authority to require the amount of the bond equal to or in excess of the size of the judgment.

Minimum Wage Increase in Alaska

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

The current minimum wage in Alaska is $7.15 per hour. This level was set in 2002. Congress passed a federal minimum-wage increase to $5.85 per hour in July 2007, $6.55 per hour in July 2008 and finally $7.25 per hour in July 2009.

Unemployment Insurance in Alaska

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

Alaska's unemployment benefit amounts are generally increased by the legislature every four to six years. The last increase took place approximately 10 years ago. Several attempts to pass legislation to increase unemployment benefit amounts over the past few years have failed.

Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage in Alaska

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

Healthcare costs have been the No. 1 issue facing small business owners since 1986, and those concerns are growing, according to NFIB's members. As healthcare costs go through the roof, small business owners have very few choices when selecting insurance coverage for their employees. The tipping point is here, and small businesses are begging for solutions to rising healthcare costs, lack of access and other issues.

April/May 2008 Alaska MyVOICE

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, April/May 2008 edition.

States Tackle Small Business Issues

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

With the state legislatures in full swing, small business owners across the country are more tuned in than ever to issues affecting their companies' livelihood. As lawmakers discuss hot-button topics like healthcare, taxes and immigration, NFIB looks at what small business owners are focusing on in the states.

NFIB Member Adds Another Award to Her Mantelpiece

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

Marcy Larson embodies all the traits that make NFIB-member, small business owners the best people to work for. The most important of which is a sincere concern for the welfare of all their employees.

February/March 2008 Alaska MyVOICE

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on such small-business issues as minimum wage, workers' compensation and activism in Alaska, February/March 2008 edition.

Remember Small Business When Choosing a Candidate

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

"Small businesses are the drivers of our state's economy, accounting for more than 97 percent of all employers in Alaska. Small business also creates about two-thirds of all net new jobs. It's vital that we have a thriving small-business community for our state and the nation to continue to grow and prosper."

Register for 2008 NFIB Summit

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

Register today for the 2008 NFIB National Small-Business Summit! NFIB and eBay have joined forces to create an event you won't want to miss. At the Summit, you'll interact with policymakers, business leaders and fellow entrepreneurs while sharing your experiences and finding new ideas to boost your business.

Washington State Shipping Container Tax in Alaska

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

The Washington state Senate is currently considering Senate Bill 5207, which would impose a $50 fee per 20-foot equivalents for shipping containers. The standard container length is 40 feet. The state's Senate is moving the legislation because of what the bill states as "a need to mitigate the enormous burden imposed on the state transportation system by the overland movement of cargo shipped to and from Washington State ports."

Business Practices: Tourism Operator Commission Disclosure in Alaska

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

The disclosure section of Ballot Measure 2, "The Cruise Ship Initiative" as written, requires cruise lines to disclose the commission rate that Alaskan tour operators pay to have their tours sold onboard the cruise ships. This disclosure does not threaten, or regulate the cruise industry, but it does pose a significant threat to the Alaskan tour businesses that contract with the cruise lines. The required disclosure exposes the price structures of these local businesses, which could lead to unfair price undercutting, with all Alaskan tourism businesses suffering as a result.

Response to Gov. Sarah Palin's State of the State Address

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

"Small business whole-heartedly supports Governor Palin's call to 'incentivize employers to provide medical insurance for employees based on the free market;' and -- since it has been small businesses' No. 1 issue for the past 20 years across the nation -- we have proposed numerous ideas for doing so."

Poll of Alaska Small-Business Owners Shows Large Minority for Minimum-Wage Hike

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

In a poll of Alaska small-business owners released Tuesday, a large minority supports keeping the state's minimum wage rate 50¢ above the federal level, but there is no such uncertainty on questions about unemployment benefits and health insurance mandates.

December/January 2008 Alaska MyVOICE

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on looking forward to 2008 in Alaska, December/January 2008 edition.

Small-Business Owners Get an Early Christmas Gift

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST

Gov. Sarah Palin recently announced that the 2008 unemployment insurance tax rates will be the lowest Alaska employers have paid in the past 28 years.

NFIB-Member Business Speaks out for Oil Companies

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST

"Don't be fooled by those who call the oil companies our adversaries or opponents," says James Gilbert in a Nov. 14 guest editorial in the Anchorage Daily News.

Alaska Small-Business Owners Go to the Polls

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST

Unique among most organizations, NFIB centers its state and federal lobbying positions on what its members tell it are vital to their survival as entrepreneurs. Results from the ballots are communicated to the public, media and policymakers, many of which consider the responses the true voice of small business.

Important Death-Tax Update: We Need Your Story

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PST

Despite ill-informed rhetoric that often cites the federal death tax as only affecting wealthy people, this tax affects all Americans, and it strikes no one harder than the small-business community.

October/November 2007 Alaska MyVOICE

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on small-business issues such as unemployment insurance and activism in Alaska, October/November 2007 edition.

Gross Receipts Tax Letter From NFIB/Alaska

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 PST

"On behalf of the Alaska chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, I wish to express our concern over the mayor's suggestion that Anchorage consider a gross receipts tax on businesses operating in the Municipality of Anchorage. When polled, 97 percent of our members opposed a gross receipts tax. NFIB/Alaska is the largest small-business advocacy group in the state and represents many Anchorage based businesses."

Helicopter Co. Owner Presented Alaska Small-Business Champion of the Year Award

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST

Dot Wilson, owner of Coastal Helicopters, was presented with her Small-Business Champion of the Year Award from the National Federation of Independent Business, America's leading small-business advocacy group, at a ceremony Thursday in Juneau.

August/September 2007 Alaska MyVOICE

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on the small-business activism in Alaska, August/September 2007 edition.

Alaska State Victories

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST

The following NFIB victories will make a real difference for your business.

NFIB Monitors 2007, 2008 Political Races

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PST

With five states holding elections this fall, NFIB is gearing up for another active political season--and a chance to help the voice of small business be heard at the ballot box.

Leadership Trust Fall 2007 Conference

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PST

State Legislative Sessions Come to an End

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PST

In most states, the 2007 legislative session was a mix of bills both helpful and harmful to small business. NFIB worked alongside lawmakers to ensure legislation passed would take into consideration the impact on the country's No. 1 job creators, and while we saw many victories, there is much left to be done next session as well.