Wisconsin Small-Business News From NFIB

Burlington Entrepreneur Named Wisconsin Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

After years of political activism and recruiting pro-small business candidates to run for office, Robin Vos decided to take his own advice in 2004 and ran for the state Assembly. Now in his second term, Vos continues to grow the business he has run since 1996 -- RoJo's Popcorn Company -- while pushing an agenda in the Capitol to improve the climate for small employers all across Wisconsin.

Procurement in Wisconsin

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

NFIB is a strong advocate for the free market, fair competition and a level playing field. Too often, small business doesn't get an equal and fair opportunity to compete for a share of the state's purchasing dollars. Although small business can be a fierce competitor with big corporations and big box chains, the state's procurement process often denies small business an equal and fair opportunity for a share of the state's procurement dollar.

Healthcare in Wisconsin

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

Studies by NFIB show healthcare costs continue to be a critical problem for Wisconsin small business owners and their employers. As a result, many small employers no longer can afford to provide a health insurance benefit, and thousands more have been forced to make dramatic reductions in coverage.

Legal Reform in Wisconsin

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

Death Tax in Wisconsin

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001 reduces death tax rates and increases the exemption every year until the tax is repealed entirely in 2010. While NFIB is working hard to convince the Congress to finish the job and permanently repeal the death tax, NFIB is also working hard to permanently eliminate the estate tax from state tax law.

Taxes/Spending in Wisconsin

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

While all citizens must pay their fair share of the cost of government, excessive taxation stifles the economic activity necessary to producing the revenue needed for government to function. Wisconsin needs to reduce the tax burden and enact strict controls on spending at all levels of government.

April/May 2008 Wisconsin MyVOICE

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on small business issues such as the healthcare, minimum wage and activism in Wisconsin, April/May 2008.

The Shift-Shaft: Hospitals Pay the Tax; Patients Get the Bill

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

With some business and industry groups capitulating on a scheme being sold as a plan to leverage more federal money for state healthcare programs, the state's leading small business association reiterated its firm opposition to Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed hospital tax.

NFIB Member Appointed to Small Business Regulatory Review Board

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

The National Federation of Independent Business/Wisconsin announced that longtime member Guy Wood, owner of Tender Care Transport in Chippewa Falls, has been appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle to serve on the state's Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

NFIB/Wisconsin Capitol Report -- March 7, 2008

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST

Assembly Bill 47, the NFIB-backed proposal that would extend state tax advantages to health savings accounts, was approved by the Assembly late Wednesday night. Introduced by Neenah NFIB member Rep. Dean Kaufert, the bill passed the Assembly 60-35 and was immediately messaged to the Senate.

NFIB Works With Rep. Kind to Improve Savings Programs for Small Business

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

National Federation of Independent Business member Sherry Wuebben of St. Joseph Equipment in La Crosse, Wis., joined U.S. Rep. Ron Kind Tuesday in a discussion about Kind's newly introduced legislation, H.R. 5160, the Small Businesses Add Value for Employees (SAVE) Act of 2008. The bill is designed to increase opportunities for small businesses to participate in retirement savings programs for their employees.

Poll of Wisconsin Small-Business Owners Shows Support for Health Care Reforms

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST

The National Federation of Independent Business, the state's leading small-business organization, has released the results of a 2008 Member Ballot that indicates small business supports legislation that requires greater price disclosure for medical procedures. The survey also showed small-business owners strongly back state tax law changes to allow tax-free contributions to health savings accounts.

February/March 2008 Wisconsin MyVOICE

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on small-business issues such as the budget, health care and activism in Wisconsin, February/March 2008.

Register for 2008 NFIB Summit

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

Register 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.

Small Business Reacts to State of the State Speech

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:00:00 PST

"For more than 20 years, our members have told us that their number one problem is the rising cost of health insurance. We commend the governor for recognizing the importance of that issue, and for recognizing that small businesses represent the largest segment of the uninsured population."

Senate Should Reject Proposal to Index Minimum Wage

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

"Our members' opposition to this legislation isn't because they have no compassion as the proponents of the bill might claim, nor are they greedy as those who favor this legislation sometimes argue. Small-business owners oppose this proposal because they are on the front line creating jobs, growing their businesses, investing in their communities, providing our young people with their first real job experience and providing meaningful employment opportunities for those individuals with fewer job skills."

December/January 2008 Wisconsin MyVOICE

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on small-business issues such as minimum wage, the death tax and looking ahead to 2008 in Wisconsin, December/January 2008.

Important Death-Tax Update: We Need Your Story

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PST

Despite ill-informed rhetoric that often cites the federal death tax as only affecting wealthy people, this tax affects all Americans, and it strikes no one harder than the small-business community.

Self-Employed Need Level Playing Field to Purchase Health Care

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PST

The "Equity for Our Nation's Self-Employed Act" (H.R. 3660) was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Wisconsin's Ron Kind and Wally Herger of California to help put self-employed businesses on equal footing with large corporations by permitting health-insurance premiums to be deducted from both their income and payroll taxes.

Healthy Wisconsin Update

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PST

The budget conferees in the Wisconsin State Legislature have taken the first step toward a budget compromise by taking the Healthy Wisconsin proposal "mostly off the table" of negotiations.

October/November 2007 Wisconsin MyVOICE

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on small-business issues such as health care and the budget in Wisconsin, October/November 2007.

NFIB Briefs Local Small-Business Owners on Ways to Avoid Legal Trouble

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PST

Civil lawsuits can cost individuals and businesses billions of dollars each year, causing many small businesses to operate in fear of being sued. Beth Gaudio, Senior Executive Counsel for the National Federation of Independent Business' Legal Foundation, told Wisconsin small-business owners this week that, rather than ideally sitting by hoping a lawsuit never lands on their doorstep, they should be developing strategies that will help prevent legal entanglements.

NFIB Launches New Daily e-Newsletter

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PST

NFIB is partnering with SmartBrief, Inc. to publish a daily electronic newsletter, NFIB SmartBrief, a new free service for members and other small- and independent-business owners who want to be in the know on issues, trends and other information critical to helping them run their business.

Number of Uninsured Jumps to 47 Million

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:00:00 PST

Despite a decline in the nation's poverty rate for the first time this decade, the number of people without health-care insurance increased from 45 million to 47 million--15.8 percent of the population--according to a report issued Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

States Continue to Adopt Regulatory Flexibility Legislation

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:00:00 PST

Over the past several months, more states have adopted new or expanded regulatory flexibility laws, bringing relief to small-business owners from unfair and potentially expensive regulations. NFIB has led the fight for regulatory fairness around the country; the following are highlights of the most recent states to adopt new regulatory flexibility legislation.

Small Business Celebrating Labor Day With a Watchful Eye on Congress

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:00:00 PST

"In a few days, many Wisconsin residents will join Americans across the country to take time to celebrate Labor Day, established by Congress 113 years ago."

"Each Labor Day, employers and employees take time to be with family and friends and to reflect on a year's worth of hard work. Unfortunately, while Americans are enjoying hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, Congress is considering cooking up ideas that would prove costly to small employers and their employees."

August/September 2007 Wisconsin MyVOICE

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST

Special NFIB member report on small-business issues such as personal property taxes, the death tax and education in Wisconsin, August/September 2007.

Wisconsin Health-Care Plan Bad Medicine for State's Economy

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST

Just prior to passing its version of the state's budget bill, the Wisconsin Senate attached a $15 billion tax increase on payroll to fund a universal health-care plan. While the intentions of the legislative members are understandable, as our current health-care system is in dire need of reform, the revenue source that was proposed is short-sided and is a potentially lethal pill for our state's economy if swallowed by state lawmakers.

Small-Business Owners Reject Universal Health Plan Proposal

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PST

The National Federation of Independent Business, the state's leading small business organization, announced strong opposition to the universal health plan proposed this weekend by Senate leaders. Bill G. Smith, state director for NFIB/Wisconsin, cautioned lawmakers that the proposed payroll tax would force many small businesses to close and cause a significant loss of jobs in Wisconsin.