http://www.nfib.com/Keep up-to-date with the latest news, research, politics and business tips from NFIB.com.en-usEM3 iOnwebmaster@nfib.orghttp://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37149.html"Recession fears are spreading and the economy is showing definite signs of slowing, even on Main Street," according NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg. The NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism rose 1.9 points in April to 91.5 (1986=100). Half of the gain was due to an improved outlook for business conditions 6 months out, and a quarter was from improved earnings trends. At the same time, rising prices are becoming a matter of serious concern.Tue, 13 May 2008 07:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37151.html"Recession fears are spreading and the economy is showing definite signs of slowing, even on Main Street," according NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg. The NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism rose 1.9 points in April to 91.5 (1986=100). Half of the gain was due to an improved outlook for business conditions 6 months out, and a quarter was from improved earnings trends. At the same time, rising prices are becoming a matter of serious concern.Tue, 13 May 2008 07:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37143.htmlA study recently conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed rising unemployment numbers are taking a toll on Americans' healthcare coverage, as well as state-funded health programs like Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. KFF's survey showing healthcare is only getting worse underscores NFIB's call for comprehensive healthcare reform.Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37144.htmlThe state of Montana is no slouch at loading employment law requirements on the backs of small business owners, and for that reason the National Federation of Independent Business, the state and nation's leading small business association, will host a one-day seminar, Managing in Montana, on Thursday, May 22, in Butte.Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37145.htmlIt's a nightmarish scenario that too often comes true, particularly where it concerns small businesses whose processes are very often informal. A long-term employee departs, leaving nothing but empty drawers in his wake. Suddenly it dawns on you that no one else has access to what that person knew about his job (the "it's all in my head” syndrome). The end result? Innumerable hours spent in reconstruction and guesswork. Unless you are an archeologist, you and your staff have more productive ways to spend your time.Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37146.htmlA provision in a technical corrections bill would do away with an important franchise and excise tax exemption that encourages ownership of family-owned limited liability corporations and limited partnerships in commercial property. Senate Bill 4173 and House Bill 4129 are moving toward important votes in committees in the Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives, according to the National Federation of Independent Business in Tennessee. Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37148.htmlOn Wednesday, Senate Health Policy Committee will begin hearings on mental health parity legislation that would require health plans sold in Michigan to cover mental illness on the same basis as physical conditions. Currently many policies restrict mental health coverage to a lesser amount.Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37150.htmlThe state reported record revenues of $2.74 billion in April, a 17 percent increase over last year. The state is now on track to bring in $1.2 billion more than projected for FY 08 when the current budget was enacted. The state released the April figures just after the House completed debate on the $28 billion FY 09 spending plan and just before the full Senate considered their version of the corporate tax increase bill.Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37127.htmlThe weather is warming up and gas prices are climbing. Put those two things together and you can get downright uncomfortable. But whether you drive a compact car to and from your small business every day or you keep a fleet of delivery trucks ready to go, there are a few simple steps you can take to get the most from every gas penny.Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37130.htmlOrganized labor is pursuing legislation that would require any construction projects located in a Tax Increment Financing District or Enterprise Zone to pay the prevailing wage, which is normally union scale.Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37134.html"We have tried just about every other form of levy limit and for the most part, they have not worked. Governor Pawlenty's proposal would limit most local government property-tax increases to the previous year's plus 3 percent growth, or the growth percentage of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lesser. Local governments that desire to raise their property taxes higher than that would need to submit the proposal to the voters in a referendum."Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37138.htmlThe Revenue Estimating Conference is underway. When its work is done, the conference will issue a report on the fiscal health of our state for the next couple of years. It is expected the Legislature will have another $250 million to spend, but Gov. Bobby Jindal does not want lawmakers to spend the money. It will be interesting to see who wins the battle over the bucks and whether the spending cap is busted or not. More details will be coming next week.Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37139.htmlThis week, NFIB members and friends spoke loudly and clearly about a controversial provision in the administration's end-of-session technical corrections package. The provision in question would remove a franchise and excise tax exemption on family-owned non-corporate entities, or FONCEs, which are certain limited liability corporations and limited partnerships that derive passive income through commercial property. Many Tennessee small business families have FONCEs.Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37140.htmlNFIB/Alabama members are grateful to Rep. Frank McDaniel (Albertville) and Sen. Roger Bedford (Russellville) for sponsoring and passing the State Unemployment Tax Act, better known as the SUTA bill. The passage of this bill saves Alabama employers about $700 million annually and preserves federal grants for the state employment service offices. NFIB members should take this opportunity to thank their legislators for passing this bill. Please call or write them a note on your business stationery and tell them how much you appreciate their support of small business.Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37119.htmlNFIB/New York State Director Mike Elmendorf responded to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's comments in the media suggesting that any proposal to cap property tax growth was dead – before two state commissions studying the cost of local government and property taxes had completed their work – with a letter to the Speaker that was circulated to the full Legislature.Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37121.htmlInitiative 93 would require employers to provide a "safe and healthy" workplace for employees. And Initiative 96 would require employers to provide annual cost-of-living wage and salary increases to all employees.Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37110.htmlMinneapolis entrepreneur Bill Gullickson has been named the Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion of the Year for Minnesota.Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37115.htmlIf you've ever scoured a Web site's frequently-asked-questions page without finding the answer to your question, you know firsthand that an incomplete FAQ has the power to taint a customer's impression of an otherwise well-meaning company.Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37097.htmlWith a cooling economy, Nevada small business owners are in a downright snappy mood on three ideas to raise revenue for the state, according to a poll released today by their leading representative group, the National Federation of Independent Business.Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37098.htmlIt happens all the time. A new shopping district opens and takes customers away from your location. A competitor closes shop, leaving open a storefront you've always admired. Your spouse gets transferred out of state and you must make the decision whether or not your business can make the move with you.Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37104.htmlJim Brown, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said a measure that cleared the state Legislature Tuesday would make it easier for small business owners to find and keep affordable health insurance for their employees and their families.Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37105.htmlJennifer Pospichal, co-owner of Outdoor Recreation Products in Elkhorn, has been named as the 2008 Small Business Champion for Nebraska by the National Federation of Independent Business and Solveras Payment Systems, one of the nation's leading payment processing companies for small business.Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37107.htmlDell and the National Federation of Independent Business said Tuesday that TecAccess of Rockville, Va., is among 10 finalists for the Fifth Annual Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence Award.Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37108.htmlDell and the National Federation of Independent Business announced Tuesday that RNs On-Call LLC of Greensboro is among 10 finalists for the Fifth Annual Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence Award.Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37109.htmlAs part of the recently launched <I>Solutions Start Here</i> healthcare campaign, the National Federation of Independent Business is conducting "Fix-it Forums" across the country to engage small business owners and employees in conversations about the healthcare challenges they face. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37094.htmlThe National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small business association, today announced its strong support for H.R. 5515, the "New Employee Verification Act of 2008," introduced by U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson (Texas) and co-sponsored by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.)Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37095.htmlThe Blue Cross/Blue Shield bills that would change the rules for the individual health insurance market were discharged from the Senate Health Policy Committee and passed by the Senate last week. At a last-minute Senate health Policy Committee meeting held Thursday morning (the posted Wednesday hearing was cancelled), committee chair Sen. Tom George introduced a compromise similar to the one he outlined last week that includes elements of both his substitutes and those of Sen. Jason Allen.Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37106.html"You don't need to be an economist to know that small businesses are struggling -- the evidence of that is loud and clear on Main Street. Higher costs from fuel to food are driving up prices and putting thousands of small employers in a vice, forcing them to cut costs and pinch every penny. Now is the wrong time to add to that pressure by imposing a higher minimum wage."Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37072.htmlNFIB held its third "Fix-it Forum" Thursday in Little Rock, Ark., as part of our national Solutions Start Here healthcare campaign. The goal of the forums is to engage small business owners and their employees in conversations about their healthcare concerns. We will be taking these stories back to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to ensure the voices of these Arkansans, and their fellow job creators throughout the United States, are heard. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37073.html"We are disappointed Governor Corzine chose to sign this legislation and ignore the real-world experience of small business owners who have spoken out at great length about the difficulties this new law will create."Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 PST