http://www.nfib.com/Keep up with the latest news, politics and events for small business in Pennsylvania.en-usEM3 iOnwebmaster@nfib.orghttp://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37111.htmlNFIB/Pennsylvania invites you to join us for a briefing on legislation backed by big labor that could impact your business. State Director Kevin Shivers will talk with members about proposed new labor mandates, how these bills could affect your bottom line and what you can do to help stop them. The meeting will last approximately an hour and a half and are free to attend. Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37112.htmlNFIB/Pennsylvania invites you to join us for a briefing on legislation backed by big labor that could impact your business. State Director Kevin Shivers will talk with members about proposed new labor mandates, how these bills could affect your bottom line and what you can do to help stop them. The meeting will last approximately an hour and a half and are free to attend. Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37113.htmlNFIB/Pennsylvania invites you to join us for a briefing on legislation backed by big labor that could impact your business. State Director Kevin Shivers will talk with members about proposed new labor mandates, how these bills could affect your bottom line and what you can do to help stop them. The meeting will last approximately an hour and a half and are free to attend. Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37088.htmlDespite three weeks of negotiations and one public hearing, it appears HB 2400 likely will be reported as amended from the House Labor Relations Committee this week with a complicated new definition that perpetuates the current ambiguity of what exactly is an independent contractor. The amended bill still would require small businesses to treat all individuals as employees and makes it virtually impossible to prove otherwise. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36895.htmlA public hearing is scheduled for April 23 in Delaware County on state legislation that essentially would eliminate independent contractor status in Pennsylvania.Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36853.htmlNFIB's small business members are known for speaking their minds, and they certainly didn't disappoint at this year's Small Business Day in Harrisburg.Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36828.htmlLegislation was just introduced and now appears to be on a fast track that would eliminate independent contractor status in Pennsylvania by making everyone an employee. Contact your elected officials today to warn them of the costly effect this legislation would have on your business.Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36829.htmlWe would like to start this week's update by thanking the 50 NFIB members who came to Harrisburg for the 2008 Small Business Day at the Capitol. Your presence in Harrisburg and your personal stories clearly made a strong impression on state lawmakers, including passage of SB 1063. However, next week is sure to be a busy week, and we need your assistance.Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36679.htmlRead the April/May 2008 Pennsylvania MyVOICE for details on issues such as taxes, health care and activism.Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36549.htmlThe House Democrats released a healthcare plan similar to the governor's "Cover All Pennsylvania" proposal, with one notable exception: The proposal does not levy a payroll tax on small business owners. The "Pennsylvania Access to Basic-Care" (PA ABC) goal is to link the medical malpractice insurance abatement program with providing healthcare to low-income workers. The plan is expected to expand the AdultBasic program to insure an additional 80,000 individuals. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36469.htmlAs reported last week, the governor's Cover All Pennsylvania (CAP) health plan -- and how the administration plans to fund it -- were the focus for the budget hearings. The director of the Office of Health Care Reform, Acting Insurance Commissioner, Budget Secretary and Secretary of Public Welfare appeared before the House Appropriation Committee. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_34060.htmlWe're keeping an eye on the legislation in Pennsylvania that affects your small business. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36103.html"We are glad the debate has changed in Harrisburg from talking about tax increases to tax cuts. The fact that we have shifted the dialogue from raising taxes on workers and employers to talking about which areas of the economy to stimulate with lower taxes is a victory for job creators across Pennsylvania."Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35967.htmlRead the February/March 2008 Pennsylvania MyVOICE for details on issues such as taxes, health care and bad-check legislation.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_35909.htmlState Labor Secretary Stephen Schmerin resigned his cabinet post effective Jan. 30. Gov. Ed Rendell nominated Schmerin in 2003. Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35910.htmlMassachusetts state budget officials report the price tag for that state's landmark health insurance plan for "everyone" now costs $245 million more than was first projected. Its costs are expected to grow by at least another $400 million in next year's budget. Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35786.htmlWith state tax revenues running ahead of official projections, a group of powerful state lawmakers in Harrisburg are leading the call to reduce tax rates to return some of the surplus to taxpayers.Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35785.html"Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Ron Sniegocki. I am a Certified Public Accountant and a principal in Sniegocki Financial Services located in Palmyra, Lebanon County, as well as the CPA firm of Midura, Sniegocki & Associates, located in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County... I want to thank you for inviting us to appear before you. I know I speak for all small-business people when I say that we, along with NFIB, urge you to return the Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate to 2.8 percent."Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35580.htmlAn NFIB-supported bill to help businesses recover costs for handling bad checks was signed Tuesday by Gov. Ed Rendell. HB 296, sponsored by state Rep. Richard Stevenson (Mercer County), will increase the service charge for passing bad checks to $50. State law previously set the charge at $20. The measure now will be referenced as Act 70 of 2007.Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35577.htmlThe Rendell administration's efforts this session to expand government programs and continue massive borrowing were dealt a setback as state lawmakers rejected a series of tax increases to pay for them. In all, lawmakers rejected seven tax increases proposed by the governor to pay for nearly $2 billion in new spending -- despite a record surplus. Lawmakers cautioned the proposed tax levies would lead to millions of dollars in direct and indirect costs to small employers and jeopardize jobs. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35545.htmlA "costing-out" study intended to put a price tag on what it would cost to ensure every Pennsylvania student meets standards for academic achievement recommends Pennsylvania raise its annual funding commitment by an additional $5 billion. The report has raised serious questions within the business community. A recent US Chamber report indicates Pennsylvania businesses and other taxpayers are receiving a poor return on investment when comparing academic achievement and the amount of money invested in state education.Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35546.htmlThe state Senate, in strong bi-partisan fashion, defeated a proposal by Gov. Ed Rendell to raid the state fund that helps doctors pay medical malpractice insurance premiums to help finance his Cover All Pennsylvanians health plan for the uninsured. The governor proposed combining funds from the state MCare abatement fund with new taxes on cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco to subsidize his Cover All Pennsylvanians health plan. The proposal was offered as an amendment to HB 489. The amendment failed 35-14.Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35547.htmlThe state House on Wednesday joined with state senators and voted to send a bill to the governor's desk that funds hazardous site cleanup through 2011 and staves off a holiday layoff of 150 clean-up workers at hundreds of hazardous sites across Pennsylvania.Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35548.htmlThe state Senate passed 44-5, the Alternative Energy Investment Act that earmarks $650 million over 10 years, funded by anticipated growth in state gross receipts taxes when caps are lifted on electricity rates. The measure now goes to the state House for consideration.Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35552.htmlNFIB/Pennsylvania members and staff this week shipped a package of holiday cheer to Pennsylvania servicemen and women stationed in Iraq. Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_34084.htmlPennsylvania should adopt spending controls rather than balancing the state budget on the backs of small-business owners and working families.Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_34085.htmlNFIB members oppose new or increased taxes targeting small business owners and support legislative and administrative changes to reduce the administrative costs associated with compliance. NFIB members oppose the tax increases included in Gov. Ed Rendell's 2007-08 proposed state budget. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_34086.htmlSmall business owners routinely face unfair competition from non-profit organizations and government agencies that sell goods or services already available from taxpaying businesses. Unfair competition costs communities millions in lost tax revenues and scores of private-sector jobs.Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST