Oklahoma State Victories
The following NFIB victories will make a real difference for your business.
Recent NFIB/Oklahoma victories:
Halted minimum wage assault
Three attempts to raise the minimum wage this session were defeated. One proposal would increase the wage to $6.15 per hour and the other proposed an increase to $7 per hour. A third measure proposed a vote of the people to decide an increase of 50 cents per year for five years resulting in a $2.50 increase. A poll has shown that 82 percent of NFIB's members oppose a raise in the minimum wage. A raise in the minimum wage has a negative impact on small business, eliminating entry-level jobs, and has never been proven to reduce poverty or narrow income gaps.
Upheld employer rights by preserving 'employment at will' status, saving up to $2,000 per fired employee
An attempt to repeal Oklahoma's "employment-at-will" law was soundly defeated, with NFIB leading the charge. Labor lawyers attempted to change the statutes to require notice before firing, a 30-day severance package, and paid training for the fired workers in the event they were unable to find another job. This paid training could cost up to an estimated $2,000 per occurrence.
Kept health premium costs down by preventing unfunded health insurance mandates
NFIB/Oklahoma is vigilant about holding down the cost of health insurance and has helped to defeat numerous mandates including requiring insurance companies to cover tobacco cessation, contraceptive services, OB/GYN exams, mental health therapies, in vitro fertilization and vocational rehabilitation and medical foods and low-protein modified food products. NFIB is not opposed to these services; we're just opposed to paying for them through higher premiums.
Prevented unfunded health insurance mandates
Unfunded health-care mandates raise the cost of health insurance. NFIB/Oklahoma is vigilant about holding down the cost of health insurance and has helped to defeat numerous mandates including requiring insurance companies to cover tobacco cessation, contraceptive services, OB/GYN exams, mental health therapies and low-protein modified food products. NFIB is not opposed to these services; we're just opposed to paying for them through higher premiums.
Sales tax on services derailed
NFIB initiated a strong lobbying and grassroots effort to stop an attempt to collect sales tax on 22 services that are currently exempt. This terrible attempt to raise taxes would have affected all small businesses at an annual estimated cost of 100 million dollars.
Employer rights upheld
An attempt to repeal Oklahoma's "employment-at-will" law was soundly defeated with NFIB leading the charge. Labor lawyers attempted to change the statutes that require notice before firing, a large severance package, and paid training for the fired workers in the event they were unable to find another job. This would have been a nightmare for Oklahoma's small businesses with unknown, but undoubtedly astronomical costs.
Unemployment tax cut
Working in tandem with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the legislative leadership, NFIB helped forge a reduction in the unemployment insurance tax. The measure allows for a 136 million dollar reduction over a five-year period and results in one half of our small businesses not having to pay any tax.
2002:
VICTORY: NFIB/Oklahoma helped pass legislation that requires state agencies to review all new rules and regulations for their financial impact on small business before their implementation.
VICTORY: NFIB/Oklahoma is pushing for civil justice reform to reduce frivolous lawsuits, limit non-economic damages and stop the relentless attack on small business owners by trial lawyers
2001:
VICTORY: Unemployment insurance premiums have been reduced $150 million and workers' compensation premiums reduced $60 million over the past three years due to legislation NFIB helped to pass.
VICTORY: NFIB worked successfully to pass reforms to the workers' compensation system. Reforms include an exemption for businesses employing family members, the shortening of the period for maximum temporary total disability, restricting attorney fees and amending the definitions of "injury," "occupational diseases" and "cumulative trauma." Businesses in Oklahoma will save an estimated $60 million a year.
VICTORY: NFIB successfully helped to pass measures that would cut $136 million in business unemployment taxes over a five-year period. As a result half of Oklahoma's small businesses do not pay any unemployment insurance.
VICTORY: NFIB utilized strong lobbying efforts towards a mental health parity measure before passage to ensure the exemption of companies employing fewer than 50 employees and a cap on increases over a three-year period.
VICTORY: NFIB's strong push for estate tax reform resulted in the passage of a bill ensuring a savings of $18.6 million currently and an $80 million savings by 2006. The bill increased the current estate tax exemption for lineal heirs.
VICTORY: NFIB helped to kill several attempts to reinstate Oklahoma's prevailing wage law. Passage would have required contractors on public projects to pay the prevailing wage and would have cost taxpayers millions annually.
2000: NFIB/Oklahoma helped to kill several attempts to reinstate Oklahoma's prevailing wage law. Passage would have required contractors on public projects to pay the prevailing wage and would have cost taxpayers millions annually.
1999: NFIB/Oklahoma's strong push for estate tax reform resulted in the passage of a bill ensuring a savings of $18.6 million currently and an $80 million savings by 2006. The bill increased the current estate tax exemption for lineal heirs.
1998: NFIB/Oklahoma utilized strong lobbying efforts towards a mental health parity measure before passage to ensure the exemption of companies employing fewer than 50 employees and a cap on increases over a three-year period.
1997: NFIB/Oklahoma successfully helped to pass measures that would cut $136 million in business unemployment taxes over a five-year period. As a result half of Oklahoma's small businesses do not pay any unemployment insurance.
1996: NFIB/Oklahoma worked successfully to pass reforms to the workers' compensation system. Reforms include an exemption for businesses employing family members, the shortening of the period for maximum temporary total disability, restricting attorney fees and amending the definitions of "injury," "occupational diseases" and "cumulative trauma." Businesses in Oklahoma will save an estimated $60 million a year.
