Rhode Island State Victories
The following NFIB victories will make a real difference for your business.
Recent NFIB/Rhode Island victories:
Defeated MED Zone expansion, leveling the playing field for all retailers
NFIB/Rhode Island led the effort to defeat provisions of the Municipal Economic Development Zones rules that allow businesses located in the MED Zones (primarily "big box" stores) to charge only 3.5 percent sales tax on products sold, and not the 7 percent tax that businesses outside the zone are required to charge.
Defeated family and medical leave expansion
NFIB/Rhode Island led the fight to defeat legislation that would have allowed employees in businesses with more than 50 employees to take additional time off from work (a maximum of 14 hours during any 12-month period) to take their minor children or elderly relatives (defined as by blood or marriage and at least 60 years old) for routine medical or dental appointments and elder-care services.
Defeated legislation mandating a paid day off if Victory Day is not observed
Stopped legislation that would have required employers to allow employees to take another day off during the same calendar year if Victory Day is not observed in the business. Any employer who would not let an employee take another day off, would have to pay employees working on Victory Day one and a half times their normal rate of pay for that day.
Blocked increases to workers' compensation costs
NFIB/Rhode Island led opposition to attempts to change third-party recovery provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act. Under current law, if an employee is injured while driving a company vehicle, and the cause of the auto accident is the negligence of another party, that employee first gets workers' compensation benefits. In an instance where the injury is the fault of another party, the workers' compensation carrier is viewed as having made the payments as an advance, subject to being paid back when it is settled that the accident was someone else's fault.
Increased small claims court jurisdiction to $2,500
Legislation – sponsored by Senator William Walaska (an NFIB/Rhode Island member) and Representative Donald Lally – was passed that increases the small claims court jurisdiction level to $2,500. The legislation also includes a slight increase in filing fees and a mediation process to encourage settlements.
Motor vehicle excise tax phase out
NFIB/Rhode Island has played a lead role in the continued phase out of the motor vehicle excise tax, which is true property tax relief. Despite the governor's objection in 2002, the phase out continued as the exemption was increased from $3,500 to $4,500.
Retail inventory tax phase out
NFIB/Rhode Island has played a lead role in the continued phase out of the retail inventory tax, which is true property tax relief.
Blocked increases to workers' compensation costs
NFIB/Rhode Island led opposition to attempts to change third-party recovery provisions of the Workers Compensation Act, which would have resulted in a financial windfall for employees and increased premiums for Rhode Island employers. Under current law, if an employee is injured while driving a company vehicle, and the cause of the auto accident is the negligence of another party, that employee first gets workers' compensation benefits, without having to wait until he or she has sued the other driver and recovered in that case. A House bill attempted to change the law so that the employee could avoid making any reimbursement to the carrier unless he or she has been "fully compensated." It was unclear what that term really meant - an employee should be considered fully compensated when he or she receives workers compensation benefits.
Defeated mandated preferential treatment for union workers
NFIB/Rhode Island successfully testified in strong opposition against the passage of Project Labor Agreements. When a PLA is placed on a public construction project, only companies employing union labor are permitted to bid on the project. To bid, a merit shop company would have to lay off its workers, rehire them through the union hall, pay union benefits for those employees (who will never have an opportunity to collect such benefits), and then continue to pay its own health insurance for the employees. These issues result in less competition on public projects and, in turn, higher costs to communities and taxpayers. NFIB/Rhode Island also led the business opposition to passage of legislation that proposed to require all contractors and subcontractors to carry health insurance and other benefits for employees at the employers sole cost and if reduced, for any reason, the employer could be barred from public works contracts. Contractors also would have been strictly liability for any violations of a subcontractor. Also, all contractors and subcontractors, in order to bid on public works contracts would have been required to participate in apprentice-training programs. The penalty, possible lifetime ban from performing any public works projects.
VICTORY: 2002 -- NFIB/Rhode Island defeated legislation that would increase our already high minimum wage to $6.65 per hour together with an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA). In addition, we successfully opposed living wage legislation as proposed in the city of Providence.
VICTORY: 2002 -- NFIB/Rhode Island will continue to play a lead role in the phase out of the motor vehicle and/or retail inventory tax -- true property tax relief. Despite the governor's objection in 2002, the phase out continued as the exemption was increased from $3,500 to $4,500.
VICTORY: Motor Vehicle/Retail Inventory Tax -- NFIB/Rhode Island will continue to play a lead role in the continued phase out of both the motor vehicle and/or retail inventory tax which is true property tax relief. Despite the Governor's objection in 2002, the phase out continued as the exemption was increased from $3,500.00 to $4,500.00; not exactly to $5,000.00 as originally proposed but still a continued phase out.
VICTORY: Minimum Wage -- NFIB/Rhode Island defeated legislation that would increased our already high minimum wage to $6.65 per hour together with an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA). In addition, we successfully opposed living wage legislation as proposed in the City of Providence.
VICTORY: Public Property and Works -- NFIB led the business opposition to passage of legislation that proposed to require all contractors and subcontractors to carry health insurance and other benefits for employees at the employers sole cost and if reduced, for any reason, the employer could be barred from public works contracts. Contractors also would have been strictly liability for any violations of a subcontractor. Also, all contractors and subcontractors, in order to bid on public works contracts would have been required to participate in apprentice-training programs. The penalty, possible lifetime ban from performing any public works projects.
VICTORY: Treble Damages (Bad Faith so-called) -- NFIB was the key player in the defeat of legislation that would have permitted triple damages in consumer cases, thereby increasing the possibility of frivolous lawsuits and their costs.
VICTORY: Environmental Compliance Act -- NFIB/Rhode Island's voice helped the passage of an amendment to this act to further encourage business to comply and correct violations without facing costly hearing penalties.
VICTORY: Secret Settlements -- NFIB led the business opposition in successfully defeating legislation that would have prohibited confidential settlement agreements and exposed important trade secrets to the public. Passage would have guaranteed an increased cost, prolonged litigation, impacted economic development and would have created a barrier to settlement agreements.
2000:
Minimum Wage Increases: NFIB played a key role in preventing passage of legislation to increase the state's minimum wage to $6.65 by July 1, 2001 together with an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA). The state's minimum wage was increased without the COLA to $6.15 effective September 1, 2000.
Health Mandates: NFIB led the business opposition to a number of proposed health insurance mandates that, if enacted, would have further increased the cost of health insurance.
Hoisting (Forklift) Licenses: Legislation to require employees who operate forklifts to be licensed was enacted and limited to the construction industry only.
State Building and Fire Codes: Legislation was enacted to simplify the rules in renovating older buildings and mill sites.
Comprehensive Health Bill Passes: Legislation was enacted that will curb the enormous cost increases in the state's Rite Care health insurance plan and reduce the health insurance burden for small employers.
1999:
Minimum Wage Increase: NFIB played a key role in preventing passage of legislation to increase the state's minimum wage to $6.15 by October 1, 2000 together with an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA). The state's minimum wage was increased without the COLA to $5.65 effective July 1, 1999.
Parental & Family Medical Leave Act: The state's leave act was again amended to permit parents to attend school conferences and school-related activities, but through the efforts of NFIB the legislation was amended so as to be less onerous.
Health Mandates: NFIB led the business opposition to a number of proposed health insurance mandates that, if enacted, would have further increased the cost of health insurance.
Hoisting (Forklift) License: Legislation to require employees who operate forklifts to be licensed at a cost of $10.00 per employee was amended to a study commission.
Department of Environmental Management (DEM): Efforts to reorganize the DEM once again failed to pass.
1998:
Phaseout of Retail Inventory Tax: NFIB played a key role in gaining passage of the retail inventory tax phaseout for all businesses.
Phaseout of Motor Vehicles Excise Tax: NFIB strongly supported legislation enacted which will phase out the motor vehicle excise tax.
Unemployment Insurance Reduction: The General Assembly passed significant reforms that will reduce your unemployment compensation insurance costs.
Workers' Compensation: NFIB played a lead role making key amendments to legislation that will require all businesses to carry workers' compensation insurance.
Health Care Mandate: NFIB led the business opposition that resulted in the defeat of many costly government mandated health care coverage bills.
Small Business Tax Credit: Legislation that allows for a five-year carry forward of a specific small business tax credit was enacted through the support of NFIB and other business associations, including the SBA.
Sundays & Holidays: A new law will eliminate the requirement for any business to first obtain a work permit to operate on Sundays and Holidays.
1997:
Environmental Self-Audit: NFIB played a key role in the passage of the Environmental Compliance Incentive Act, which provides for a non-enforcement policy for businesses which voluntarily report environmental problems to DEM.
Unemployment Compensation Reform: NFIB successfully testified in support of legislation that improved the state's unemployment insurance system.
Investment Tax: This legislation, which was supported by NFIB, increases the investment tax credit to 10 percent to stimulate our state's business investment.
Research & Development Tax: This tax credit, also supported by NFIB was increased to 22.5 percent and is a vital part of the state's economic reform package.
Forgery and Sale of Counterfeit Products: NFIB testified in support of the passage of criminal penalties for the manufacturing or distribution of counterfeit merchandise to protect our state's manufacturers and businesses.
1996:
Job Training Funds Restored: Through the efforts of NFIB/RI and other business trade associations and with a boost from improved state revenues, the proposal to take $6.4 million of HRIC funds for job training was restored.
Employer Immunity: NFIB was the leading spokesperson in the fight to gain passage of legislation which gives employers immunity from civil lawsuits when giving factual job performance information on former or current employees to prospective employers.
Consumer Protection for Banks Selling Insurance: NFIB supported legislation that promotes consumer protection when banks enter the business of selling insurance.
Employment at Will: Legislation which proposed to repeal the "employment at will" doctrine was strongly opposed by NFIB and defeated.
