http://www.nfib.com/Keep up with the latest news, politics and events for small business in Massachusetts.en-usEM3 iOnwebmaster@nfib.orghttp://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_37118.htmlSenate Bill No. 1073 would place a new unpaid mandate on small businesses and threaten the economic vitality of the small business community in Massachusetts. This legislation has already received a favorable recommendation from the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. Contact your state representative and senator today and tell them to vote NO on mandatory paid sick days!Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37038.htmlAs the House of Representatives began debate on the FY 2009 state budget, there was some good news on the job front as the state reported 4500 new jobs in the first quarter of 2008, with growth reported in the hospitality industry and professional services. The state's unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent, below the national average of 5.1 percent. In addition, despite warnings of a $1.3 billion budget gap for next year due mostly to runaway healthcare costs, this year's revenues are likely to end the year close to $1 billion above original projections. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36910.htmlIn a policy victory for Gov. Deval Patrick, the House of Representatives approved a tax bill last week that will eventually increase state revenues by $300 million per year, mostly on the backs of large corporations, although smaller companies did not escape unscathed. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36833.htmlSenate Bill No. 1059 would makes treble (triple) damages mandatory for violations of the Wage Act, whether the employer's error is intentional or willful or not. Currently an employee who proves a violation of the Wage Act is entitled to his/her unpaid wages plus interest and attorney's fees. In addition, the Court has discretion to award attorney's fees. Take action now. Contact Gov. Patrick and ask him to veto Senate Bill No. 1059.Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36837.htmlThe House of Representatives will consider a tax increase bill this week. One of the provisions in the bill would increase the Massachusetts cigarette tax by $1 per pack to $2.51 per pack -- the highest tax in any New England state. Ask your state representative to oppose a cigarette tax increase, to allow independent stores to compete on a level playing field and to preserve the state's revenue from the cigarette tax.Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36814.htmlWith the casino issue put to rest for the year, the Legislature will be looking for new revenue and possible savings to close a $1.3 billion budget gap. The debate on the FY09 state operating budget is scheduled for the last week in April in the House. It is expected to include a measure to close so-called corporate tax loopholes ($200 million) coupled with a phased-in reduction in the corporate excise tax rate, a $1 per pack increase in the cigarette tax, and a plan to increase enforcement on the underground economy, including employee classification rules, to increase revenue. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36645.htmlSpecial NFIB member report on small business issues such as the state budget, paid leave and taxes, April/May 2008 edition.Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36584.htmlSenate President Murray (Plymouth) submitted legislation to control health insurance costs. NFIB certainly appreciates the belated attention to the issue and supports provisions to require provider-cost transparency for consumers and electronic medical records. But the dysfunction in the healthcare system is evident when legislation is required to implement cost-saving measures like electronic records.Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36585.htmlThe proposed changes in House Bill No. 4476 would increase the financial exposure of businesses, their owners and their hiring agents from liability for wrongful hiring without commensurate protections from law suits. The bill's undefined terms are a bonanza for the trial bar seeking financial damages from Massachusetts employers. The bill's restrictions on access to information necessary for an informed decision place employers in an untenable legal quandary. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36522.html"On behalf of the thousands of small business owners in Massachusetts who are members of the National Federation of Independent Business, our state's largest small business advocacy group, I want to express our support for Senate Bill No. 867 and House Bill No. 1323, relative to consumer protection."Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36422.htmlThe House approved a $1 billion capital spending and tax subsidy package to support the life science industry. NFIB issued a press release claiming the bill (House 4439) was ineffective in creating jobs because it left out the state's job creators -- 180,000 existing small businesses -- and was inequitable because it pledged $1 billion in taxpayers' funds to support one relatively small industry. Finally, we made the point that the state's taxpayers should not be in the venture capital business. The legislation now goes to the Senate.Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36443.htmlFor the past several years, the rising cost of healthcare has been the No. 1 issue facing our members and those costs have become a major barrier to economic growth in Massachusetts. The cost of healthcare is typically the second or third largest employer expense. Rapidly rising healthcare costs have become a major impediment to small employers' ability to grow their businesses and create new jobs.Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36351.htmlNoting that the House of Representatives is scheduled to consider a $1 billion package to benefit the life sciences industry this week, the head of the state's largest small business association said investing in the state's existing small businesses would be a much more effective use of limited state resources.Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36311.htmlAfter the House passed "freeze" legislation this week, Massachusetts employers will avoid incurring a $153 million tax increase when unemployment insurance bills are sent out in the next few weeks. The Massachusetts unemployment insurance tax will remain the highest in the country, with taxes twice the national average and substantially higher than the unemployment insurance tax rate in bordering states like Connecticut, New York and New Hampshire. The unemployment insurance tax increase would have been poorly timed as our economy struggles and totally unnecessary as the Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund enjoys a balance of $1.2 billion.Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36240.htmlBill Vernon, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business/Massachusetts, applauded legislators Wednesday for listening to small-business owners and passing a bill to freeze unemployment insurance tax rates at 2007 levels -- blocking a looming $150 million payroll tax increase on Massachusetts businesses. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36123.htmlThe FY 09 state operating budget has garnered a lot of attention recently, but complicating the issue for legislators is the governor's request for nearly $15 billion in capital spending (including federal support) and $10 billion in state borrowing over five years. Included in the program are transportation infrastructure ($4.8 billion), state college and university facilities ($2.0 billion), state parks and recreation area improvements ($1.4 billion), public housing ($1.25 billion), general government ($2.4 billion) and the life sciences industry ($1 billion). Although the governor has stated that his plans are affordable, Speaker DiMasi has spoken of the need to prioritize capital spending.Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36088.htmlBill Vernon, state director of the state's leading small-business association -- the National Federation of Independent Business/Massachusetts -- has urged legislators to halt a $150 million tax increase scheduled to take effect this spring. The increase would hit struggling small-business owners at a time when they can least afford it. Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35940.htmlSpecial NFIB member report on small business issues such as activism and staying out of court, February/March 2008 edition.Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35894.htmlRegister 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. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35997.htmlThe House voted by a margin of 107-47 to approve House Bill No. 4477 that imposes fines and insurance surcharges on adults who text message or use hand-held cell phones while driving. Adults are permitted to use hands free technology. Drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any communications device while driving. The legislation now goes to the Senate. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35906.html"With the clouds of a perfect storm brewing on the horizon -- the mortgage crisis, rising energy prices and exploding health care costs -- our leaders will be faced with some important decisions regarding the economic course to chart in the year ahead. The proposals unveiled this evening and the actions taken by the Legislature in the weeks ahead will have a significant impact on whether on not the Massachusetts economy rides out this storm or is consumed by it."Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35880.htmlThe first few days of 2008 have confirmed my view that this year will be the most dangerous legislative year for the interests of small-business owners in a long time. There is action on so many issues that could impact small-business owners. Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35747.htmlIncreasing penalties on individuals who, after Jan. 1, 2008, are in violation of the state requirement that everyone have health insurance, have been announced. Adults over the age of 27 will be charged a sliding scale from $210 to $912 per year depending on income. The amounts represent one-half the cost of the lowest-cost individual plan available, and are designed to encourage people to become insured. Individuals who did not have health insurance in 2007 are liable for a flat $219 penalty -- the equivalent of losing their individual exemption on their state tax forms for the year. Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35764.htmlA letter to the House Committee on Health Care Financing regarding HB 4423, an act relative to mental health parity.Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35703.htmlThe Legislature ended its formal sessions for the year on Nov. 20. Informal sessions (during which legislative action can proceed only if there is no objection from any legislator) will continue. Formal sessions will recommence in January. By legislative rule, the session will end on July 31 during an election year.Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35588.htmlWhile the Legislature ended formal sessions on Nov. 20 and will not reconvene until mid-January, new proposals to control the cost of health insurance appear almost daily -- but a large gulf between proposing and implementing remains. Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35389.htmlSpecial NFIB member report on small-business issues such as paid family leave, criminal records and getting involved, December/January 2008 edition.Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35361.htmlThe full commission met on Oct. 16 and Nov. 13 after a summer recess to hear reports from the various committees studying different aspects of the state's corporate tax codes. Final recommendations are due by the first of the year. Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST