Louisiana Small-Business News From NFIB

Mandates Are on the Move

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Three new healthcare mandates are advancing. Collectively, these mandates could add between $66 million and $195 million to the cost of health insurance policies of small businesses in Louisiana. Contact your lawmakers today and urge your lawmakers to vote NO on these mandates!

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- May 9, 2008

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

The 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.

Small Business Day at the Capitol Set for May 14

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Without your help in influencing legislators, advocates for bigger government will control the legislative process in Louisiana. They are at the Capitol each and every day. Seldom has there been a legislative session with as many bills affecting small business. Don't let this opportunity to fight for small business pass you by. Register today to attend!

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- May 2, 2008

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

House Bill 747 by Rep. Joel Robideaux (Lafayette) would prohibit any taxing authority from entering into a contingency fee contract with a private auditing firm. Obviously, NFIB supports this bill because small business does not need additional fees added to their tax bill. HB 747 was reported favorably by committee and heads to the House floor.

Small Business Backs Scalise for U.S. House

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small business advocacy group, today announced its endorsement of Steve Scalise in the special election for Louisiana's 1st U.S. Congressional District. The election to fill the U.S. House of Representatives seat vacated by Gov. Bobby Jindal will take place Saturday, May 3, and NFIB will encourage its members to get out the vote on Election Day.

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- April 25, 2008

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

House Bill 1323 by Rep. Herbert Dixon (Alexandria) would mandate employers with 20 or more employees to give 16 hours of paid leave to each employee annually for school-related activities. It also would require that employers inform workers of their right to take parental leave through an employee handbook distribution or other written notice. NFIB opposes this bill.

Small Business Day at the Capitol Set for May 14

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- April 18, 2008

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

House Bill 1104 by Speaker Jim Tucker (Terrytown) passed out of the House Labor Committee on Thursday, April 17, and will move to the House floor. NFIB supports the bill because it will reform how we educate workers, making our workforce training programs more employer- and market-driven. The funding will no longer be put into useless programs but will be focused on those areas where workers are needed.

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- April 11, 2008

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

While many of the bills passed the first couples of weeks of session make only minor changes to existing state law, the House Insurance Committee heard a bill aimed at passing a health insurance mandate. Regarding other legislation, the trial lawyers and labor unions are pushing their agendas vigorously this session. Small business owners must pay attention and be willing to take action to stop these special interest groups from bullying their way through the legislative process.

Take Action Now: Mandate Is on the Move!

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

HB 318, the health insurance mandate for prosthetics, will be heard on the House floor soon. We need to stop it there! Take action now. Urge your representative to Vote NO to HB 318!

Stop Health Insurance Mandate

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

HB 318 will be heard in House Insurance Committee. We need to stop it there!

HB 318, by Rep. Chuck Kleckley, would increase insurance costs again! The bill would require your health insurance company to expand coverage of health benefits to prosthetic devices and services, including replacement and repair. Contact your lawmakers and tell them that mandates increase costs to your small business!

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- April 4, 2008

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

The Legislature's regular session kicked off Monday with 1,800 bills filed. With the trial lawyers and labor unions pressing forward with their agenda, NFIB/Louisiana will be fighting hard to protect small business.

April/May 2008 Louisiana MyVOICE

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on activism in Louisiana, April/May 2008 edition.

Small Business Owners Wary of Healthcare Mandates

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

Members of the National Federation of Independent Business, the state's largest small business association, are wary of bills that would force them to offer specific health benefits, even if the Legislature were to create tax breaks to offset any increase in premiums, according to the results of the 2008 NFIB Member Ballot.

Budget Session: Success for Small Business

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

The Legislature has wrapped up a special session, passing tax cuts for businesses, spending the state's budget surplus, dedicating funds for transportation and giving parents of school-age children a tax break.

Take Action Now: Tell Your Legislators to Support Small Business Tax Breaks

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

Gov. Bobby Jindal has proposed two bills that would help small businesses. House Bill 1 by Rep. Hunter Greene (Baton Rouge) would repeal the penny tax on business utilities and natural gas. Senate Bill 10 by Sen. Rob Marionneaux (Livonia) would accelerate the elimination of the phase-out of the corporate franchise tax on borrowed capital, better known as the tax on debt. Let your lawmakers know small business needs all the tax breaks they can get!

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- March 7, 2008

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

Gov. Bobby Jindal's second special session starts Sunday, March 9. It will deal with the state's $1 billion budget surplus. Unlike the previous governor, Jindal wants to spend the money on one-time expenditures rather than on recurring expenses. These one-time expenditures would include expanding ports, investing in business development and reducing the debt. The biggest expenses would be $515 million to improve transportation and $300 million to help restore the coastline. When Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis testified in committee regarding the executive budget, she said the administration wants to be efficient and cut unnecessary spending.

Baton Rouge Entrepreneur Named Small Business Champion for Louisiana

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

The National Federation of Independent Business, Louisiana's leading small business association, has named Bob Breaux its 2008 Small Business Champion in Louisiana.

Governor, Legislature Help Improve Climate for Small Business

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

"When we asked our members this winter what issues they wanted the Legislature to address, there was overwhelming support for legislation that would help restore the public's faith in state government."

Special Session on Ethics Reform: It's a Wrap!

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

The major issues that Gov. bobby Jindal was pushing for ethics reform in this special session are heading to his desk for signature. There has been a lot of talk over the past couple weeks about Louisiana becoming the "gold standard" for ethics reform. It looks like we have achieved that!

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- Feb. 22, 2007

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

When the special session on ethics reform started last Monday, it seemed that much of the proposed legislation would sail through the Legislature. As the session continued though, lawmakers complained that legislation was moving too fast and called for exceptions to the major pieces of legislation.

Take Action Now: Contact Your Senator About Transparency for Elected Officials

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

HB 1 by Speaker Jim Tucker, which would require all elected officials to disclose income, assets and liabilities in ranges, will likely be heard on the Senate floor this week.

Please let your state senator know that small business supports this bill because increasing transparency in government will improve Louisiana's image across the nation and help the state's business climate.

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- Feb. 15, 2007

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

Unlike other business groups, NFIB bases its public-policy positions on input from its members, and you've told us loud and clear that you want the Legislature to pass Gov. Bobby Jindal's ethics package.

NFIB/Louisiana Legislative Update -- Feb. 1, 2007

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

Just as Gov. Bobby Jindal promised when he was campaigning for the state's highest office last year, he issued the call for his first special session Feb. 1 concerning ethics and campaign finance reform. The session will begin Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. and end no later than March 1. Jindal is in his honeymoon phase, so this session will ultimately test the public's view of him over the next four years. Depending on what he can get accomplished to reform our ethics laws will determine the influence he has in moving his other agenda items forward.

February/March 2008 Louisiana MyVOICE

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on small business issues such as workers' compensation and labor, February/March 2008.

Felder Named Chair of Statewide Leadership Council

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:00:00 PST

The National Federation of Independent Business, Louisiana's leading small business association, has announced the unanimous election of Louisiana small business leader Pat Felder as chair of the organization's Leadership Council, an elite group of small business activists.

Take Action: Tell Your Senators to Pass Stimulus Package That Supports Small Business

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

NFIB encourages members to contact their senators and urge them to quickly pass an economic stimulus similar to the agreement reached by House leaders and the White House.

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.