New Hampshire State Victories
The following NFIB victories will make a real difference for your business.
Recent NFIB/New Hampshire victories:
Passed constitutional amendment to further protect private property rights from eminent domain abuse
The New Hampshire Senate and House responded to last summer's U.S. Supreme Court Decision that gave municipalities the opportunity to seize property for economic development purposes with a proposed constitutional amendment and a new law that further strengthens our state law to protect private property rights. The constitutional amendment requires a 2/3 vote of the people this fall in order to become law.
Defeated repeal of rooms and meals tax collection fee
While no sweeping tax changes were enacted this year, there was extensive debate over the room and meals tax collection fee. A repeal of the 3 percent of the rooms and meals tax that lodging and restaurant businesses retain when they collect the tax was proposed. NFIB opposed it and alternatives, and it was defeated.
Defeated "Fair Share Pay"
The New Hampshire House of Representatives defeated legislation that would have required all employers with 1,500 or more employees to spend a certain percentage of total wages on health insurance or make a payment into a state "Fair Share Health Care Fund" to be used to subsidize the state's Medicaid program. The bill also imposed reporting requirements aimed at identifying the scope of health insurance coverage and costs for large employers. This was designed to eventually create a universal health-care plan on a statewide basis.
Defeated legislation requiring an employee break of at least 10 hours between mandatory work shifts
This is an example of a state mandate on business without a complete understanding of the ramification that these mandates have on business. This legislation would have hindered the flexibility of businesses to manage their own work schedules, especially during their very busiest times.
Defeated increased minimum wage
Legislation was introduced to raise the minimum wage to $6.65 an hour by July 2007. Through a hard-fought battle, NFIB/New Hampshire was able to block the increase. But supporters say they will be back next year, so we will need members' help again. NFIB successfully pushed to keep the minimum wage at the federal mandated level, thus allowing the people of New Hampshire and free enterprise to thrive by leaving wage negotiation in the hands of employer and employee.
Protected members from out-of-state tax collectors
HB 92 now restricts the access of out-of-state government tax collection agencies to New Hampshire business records. In the future, out-of-state agencies seeking such access will be required to demonstrate a substantial nexus between the taxing state and the New Hampshire business before gaining access to small-business records.
No longer will New Hampshire's border businesses be caught off guard by out-of-state tax collectors demanding that the business owner produce records and then hit him with high tax bills from out-of-state agencies.
Defeated proposed 3 percent gross consumption tax
NFIB/New Hampshire worked to defeat this bill that would have added a 3 percent tax on small-business gross receipts – not profits
VICTORY: 2002 -- The hours of effort and planning by NFIB/NH members which went into background research on various candidates, political surveys, letters to NFIB members, press releases and phone calls -- all designed to elect pro-business candidates -- resulted in a sweeping landslide in all major races of pro-business candidates.
VICTORY: The 2003 session will commence in January with a deficit and the need to find extra money to fund education. Legislators will be searching for ways to raise the money needed, and small business could be targeted with another raise in the Business Enterprise Tax.
VICTORY: NFIB/New Hampshire was victorious in the 2000 legislative session in defeating a 4 percent income tax. If passed, citizens of this state would have paid $400 in taxes for every $10,000 in net income. Someone earning $30,000 per year would have to pay $1200 in taxes. In essence, small business owners who pay the Business Enterprise Tax would be taxed twice on income.
2000:
NFIB was victorious in defeating a 4 percent income tax. If passed, citizens of the state would have paid $400 in taxes for every $10,000 of net income. Someone earning $30,000/year would have to pay $1200 in taxes. In essence, small business owners who pay the Business Enterprise Tax, would be taxed twice on income.
NFIB worked to defeat a minimum wage bill which would have increased the minimum wage of $5.15/hour to $5.65/hour on July 1, 2000; $6.25/hour on January 1, 2001; $6.65/hour on July 1, 2001; and $7.15/hour on January 1, 2002. Passage of this legislation could have created a ripple effect for businesses, requiring them to pay other employees more money.
NFIB helped send at bill to interim study which would have provided Unemployment Compensation Benefits to an employee who was on family leave. This bill would have created more costs to employers for Unemployment Taxes.
NFIB worked to defeat overtime pay for salaried employees. The bill would have required overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 50 hours. This would have been costly to employers.
Salaried employees are salaried due to the fact that they may work more hours one week and less hours the next.
NFIB helped to defeat a consumption tax of one percent. The tax would have been imposed on the sale at retail of tangible personal property or services. NFIB stressed that 1 percent might not seem a lot, but once the tax is passed, legislators can raise the limit in the future.
1999:
NFIB was successful in defeating legislation which would have increased the business enterprise tax to 1.75 percent -- a 600 percent increase. If this bill had passed, New Hampshire's small businesses would have to pay six times what they are currently paying under the business enterprise tax.
NFIB was instrumental in defeating a 5 percent Capital Gains Tax. This tax would have been assessed on stock sold, second homes, etc.
NFIB worked to defeat a 4 percent income tax. The tax would have been assessed on the taxable incomes of New Hampshire residents. Someone with a taxable income of $30,000 would have to pay the State $1200 per year.
NFIB worked to put down a 6 percent tax on entertainment. This would have applied to anything considered "entertainment." NFIB let legislators know that it was strongly opposed to any designated taxes which would have an adverse impact on small business owners and the State's economy.
1998:
NFIB was successful in passing legislation which increased the amount to file a claim in small claims court from $2,500 to $5,000. Business owners would be able to save money on legal fees due to the fact that they or their designated representative could appear in court without an attorney.
NFIB worked to pass State Agency Oversight Legislation. The bill, which is now law, requires that state agencies must identify the statutory law or regulation the state agency is attempting to promulgate rules for. The proposed rule must conform to the statutory intent of the law, as well. Passage of this legislation helps to keep agency bureaucrats operating within the intention of a state law or regulation.
NFIB was credited in the passage of a bill relative to teacher tenure. The bill would have made it easier to fire bad teachers. The bill passed the legislature, but was vetoed by the Governor.
NFIB was successful in convincing legislators to hold off on funding education. Many plans were presented which would have created new taxes to fund education. Legislators decided to wait another year before proceeding.
