http://www.nfib.com/Keep up with the latest news, politics and events for small business in Michigan.en-usEM3 iOnwebmaster@nfib.orghttp://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_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_37069.htmlThe Senate Health Policy Committee is expected to report out Blue Cross-supported legislation that would change the rules for the individual health insurance market. It is unclear whether the legislation will be the Senate substitutes that were offered by Sen. Tom George to replace the original House bills, or substitutes from Sen. Jason Allen and other committee members that are more agreeable to Blue Cross. Last week, NFIB testified against all of the proposed bills as looking to fix a problem that doesn't exist.Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36962.htmlHealthcare, taxes and minimum wage issues are debated and discussed in state legislatures on a regular basis. But there is another issue that is gaining ground on the scale of importance to small business owners around the country: immigration.Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36847.htmlLast week, the Senate discharged two bills to the Senate floor from committee that would make changes to the new Michigan Business Tax to address problems identified with contractors with the new tax and what can be deducted from gross receipts. Legislation was also moved to general orders that would begin eliminating the MBT surcharge of 22 percent.Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36751.htmlThe state's best-known advocate for small business, the National Federation of Independent Business, presented a check Wednesday for $10,000 to the Committee to Turn Michigan Around at a meeting held at the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce.Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36650.htmlRead the April/May 2008 Michigan MyVOICE for details on such issues as ergonomics, healthcare and activism.Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36607.htmlThe Michigan House is on spring break this week. They are scheduled to return on April 8.Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36562.htmlA new state-wide poll commissioned by Michigan's leading small business association reveals that if a part-time legislature proposal were put in front of the voters today, it would pass by a strong margin. The poll was sponsored by the National Federation of Independent Business and conducted by Marketing Resource Group, a national public opinion research firm based in Michigan.Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36559.htmlHouse legislators are expected to vote this week on a bill that would recreate the electric monopolies that were done away with under Public Act 141, the 2000 law that deregulated electric power. Attorney General Mike Cox calls it a $2 billion tax increase on Michigan ratepayers. In exchange for the favor, the power monopolies would be allowed to charge higher fees and taxes on customers that would be returned to Lansing as money for lawmakers to spend. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36486.htmlThe state's best-known advocate for small business -- the National Federation of Independent Business -- has announced that it would be joining forces with the Committee to Turn Michigan Around to put a proposal to create a part-time legislature before the voters on the 2008 November ballot. The Committee to Turn Michigan Around is a ballot initiative committee supported by the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Homebuilders Association of Greater Kalamazoo and a grassroots network of citizens represented by the ballot initiative committee Reform Michigan Government.Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36484.htmlNFIB will formally announce Tuesday that we are joining forces with the Committee to Turn Michigan Around to put a part-time legislature proposal before the voters on the 2008 November ballot. The Committee to Turn Michigan Around is a ballot-initiative committee formed by the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Homebuilders Association of Greater Kalamazoo. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36432.htmlApril Area Action Council meetings announced. <i>Employment Law 101 for Small Business: Human Resource Basics and Immigration Compliance</i> will feature information on labor law and legal advice from NFIB Legal Foundation Attorney Beth Milito. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36327.htmlGreetings and best wishes for a prosperous year! While room doesn't allow for a listing of every issue NFIB will be following in 2008, here are the highlights of some of the things we will be working on for small business this year.Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36318.htmlSmall business is the key to any state economic recovery and any plan that does not recognize that is doomed to fail. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36319.htmlThe cost of healthcare continues to be the No. 1 problem for small business. Legislation that would allow the Blue Cross-Blue Shield owned Accident Fund to enter the individual health insurance market will be the subject of debate early in the 2008 legislative session. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36320.htmlWith Michigan's economy struggling and higher taxes being proposed every session, some have suggested that legislative term limits are not doing enough to curb the spending habits of Lansing and the growth of state government. One suggestion to address the issue is to eliminate term limits (or lengthen current terms) and move to a part time Legislature. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36321.htmlWhile small business does not support the intentional hiring of illegal aliens by any employer, laws that put small business owners in the position of being the enforcement agency for state immigration laws are not the answer.Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36322.htmlMany of the problems faced by Michigan small business owners are the result of rules and regulations. Although these rules come from laws that enable state agencies to develop them, there is often a serious disconnect between what the Legislature intended in the law and what the state agency actually requires via the subsequent rules. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36323.htmlEnvironmental extremists in Michigan are pulling a classic "bait and switch" tactic in the Michigan Legislature. While claiming that they are pushing new laws to prevent Michigan Great Lakes water from being diverted to other states, they are placing limits on the ability of Michigan business and citizens to use their own water on their own property.Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36324.htmlAlthough Michigan continues to shed jobs by the thousands and struggles to combat the perception of a negative labor climate, organized labor is intent on making matters worse by pursuing an aggressive agenda to hike labor costs.Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36325.htmlIn 1995, Michigan enacted some of the most far-reaching reforms in the country to our legal system in order to turn back the tide of runaway lawsuits and jury awards.Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36326.htmlSensing an opportunity for more money to spend, some lawmakers are pursuing legislation supported by the big power companies that would end competition and restore their monopoly position in the marketplace.Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/extLinkIO_36328.htmlMon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36338.htmlPlans are being made for the spring round of local NFIB meetings. The meetings will feature information on labor laws related to small business from NFIB Legal Foundation Attorney Beth Milito. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36288.htmlThis week the Senate is expected to act on SB 843 which would prohibit MIOSHA from moving forward on plans to establish a statewide mandatory ergonomics rule. We'll be working in the lobby on Wednesday in anticipation of floor action on the bill. If passed, the bill would move to the House for further action.Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36173.htmlThe National Federation of Independent Business has joined with the AARP and leaders of the state's business and labor communities at the state Capitol to launch Divided We Fail in Michigan. The diverse Divided We Fail alliance will work together over the next nine months leading up to the presidential election on Nov. 4 to urge action from elected leaders on the issue of access to affordable health insurance.Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36197.htmlWhat happens in Lansing affects you! Join NFIB/Michigan State Director Charlie Owens as he discusses what is on the horizon for small business in 2008 at a local Area Action Council meeting.Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36096.htmlLast week the Senate Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee reported out SB 843 that would prohibit MIOSHA from moving forward on plans to establish a statewide mandatory ergonomics rule. This week NFIB and other business groups will meet to plan strategy to continue the fight to block this job-killing rule.Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35938.htmlRead the February/March 2008 Michigan MyVOICE for details on such issues as balancing the budget, taxes and health care.Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST