RI Small Business Policy News & Information

The latest news and information from NFIB in Washington, D.C., and in Rhode Island.

Small Business Urges Regulatory ReformDirector Bill Vernon today urged lawmakers to support a bill requiring a review of all new and proposed regulations in order to improve the state's business climate.
Chances for Regulatory Reform BrighterEarlier this year, the House Committee on Small Business chaired by Rep. Serpa heard testimony on House Bill No. 7770 filed by Rep. Morgan to require a periodic cost benefit analysis of all new and existing regulations to determine their impact on small business.
Progressives Seek to Enact Changes in BudgetWhile threatening to withhold support for the FY13 state budget, a coalition of perhaps two dozen progressive legislators is seeking to add such provisions as increased state income taxes on high income individuals, increased minimum wage, and changes in the state's independent contractor law to the budget in early June.
Small Business Index Shows Modest GainDirector Bill Vernon says that a small increase in the Optimism Index is good news, but that Rhode Island should focus intensively on growth policies.
Estate Tax on the AgendaDespite some modest progress, Rhode Island's estate tax remains one of the highest in the country.
Unions Attempt to Weaken 2011 Pension Reform LawRhode Island legislators, at the urging of big labor, are already considering legislation that would undo the progress on state pensions accomplished last fall.
Tax Day in Rhode IslandTax Day this week is a dreary reminder for working Rhode Islanders of how much money it costs to run the most expensive national government in the history of the world.
NFIB Testifies on Legislation Before the General AssemblyNFIB submitted testimony on several bills being considered in the late stages of the General Assembly's two year session.
Independent Contractor Issue HeardThe Senate Labor Committee reviewed legislation seeking to clarify the definition of independent contractor and employee in Rhode Island.
NFIB Supports Reducing Interest in Civil ActionsLegislation to lower the interest applied to recoveries in civil actions gained support from NFIB/RI last week in the General Assembly.
Rhode Island's Economic Condition WorsensThe unemployment rate ticked up to 11.0 percent and the number of unemployed residents is up to 61,700, according to the state's Department of Labor and Training.
NFIB Supports Systematic Review of RegulationsAs more and more states, including Massachusetts and New York, are undertaking systematic cost/benefit analyses of new and existing regulations, the House Committee on Small Business heard testimony on House Bill No. 7770 to begin a similar review in Rhode Island.
Time for Action on Meals TaxNFIB is calling on its members to contact their state legislators and the Governor to register their opposition to increasing the meals tax to 10 per cent.
Bills to Increase Minimum Wage Introduced in House and SenateLegislation to increase the minimum wage in Rhode Island from $7.40 to $7.75 was introduced last week.
Restaurant Tax Continues to Take FireWith Governor Chafee’s popularity at a low ebb – one poll showed that only one fifth of Rhode Island voters approve of his job performance – his proposal to increase the meals tax in the Ocean State to 10 per cent continued to attract criticism.
Death Tax Targeted AgainAmong the 300 or so bills submitted for consideration by the General Assembly in 2012, ten suggest that the estate tax be modified, reduced, or slashed.
Real Economic Impact of Tax Increase ProposalsThe Rhode Center for Freedom and Prosperity examined Governor Chafee’s $95 million tax increase proposal.
RI Small Business in a Lull, Report ShowsDirector Bill Vernon says that uncertainty surrounding policies from Washington and Providence have small business owners acting cautiously.
NFIB Pans Tax Hike PlanDirector Bill Vernon urged lawmakers today to reject Governor Chafee's call for higher taxes on clothes, hotels and other items.
Small Business Urges Lawmakers to Change Perception of StateDirector Bill Vernon told lawmakers this week that they should take seriously the state's nationwide reputation as a bad place to do business.
Municipal Pension Issue Heats UpIn the wake of the adoption of sweeping changes to state pensions, the battle over changes to the various municipal pension systems began as soon as the General Assembly returned to session.
State Budget Picture ImprovesWith state revenues running ahead of projections, balancing the state budget is less of a concern for returning legislators in 2012.
Payroll Tax Hike to Take EffectThe economic downturn will make it more expensive to create a job in Rhode Island. In 2012, employers will face an increase in unemployment insurance premiums.
Calming Concerns about the Cost of Wind PowerThe cost of energy is becoming an increasingly onerous financial burden and larger damper on business expansion and job growth at small businesses in Rhode Island.
Cell Phone Ban Under ConsiderationIn the wake of the call by the National Safety Transportation Board for a ban on all cell phone use by drivers nationwide, Rhode Island Attorney General Kilmartin renewed his legislative efforts to ban talking, texting and e-mailing while driving.
Small Business Survival Index Says RI is a Tough PlaceRhode Island dropped further to 47th among the fifty states when compared to other states on public policies affecting entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Unemployment Insurance and TDIThe statutory changes in unemployment insurance enacted in 2011 to shore up the system will impact employers in 2012.
Pension Reform: The Unfinished Business The next battleground for the pension issue is the locally run pension plans in twenty-four of the Ocean State’s thirty-nine cities and towns.
NFIB/RI Urges Shoppers to Go Small This YearDirector Bill Vernon says that shoppers can help their communities and the economy by shopping at small businesses this season.
Unemployment InsuranceThe impact of offset credit reductions will hit Rhode Island employers when they make their Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) payments in January, 2012.
Pension Reform Continued – The Hidden TaxEnacting pension reform was a great victory for the small business owners of Rhode Island. NFIB thanks all of you who contacted your legislator and expressed your support for changes that will secure Rhode Island’s financial future.
NFIB Urges Shoppers to Buy Local this YearDirector Bill Vernon is urging shoppers this weekend to visit local merchants as an alternative to the crowded malls.
Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Applications AvailableNFIB members can submit nominations for the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Scholarship.
Rhode Island Tax Burden 11th HighestThe Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) reported that Rhode Island’s state and local tax burden rose in 2009 to eleventh highest in the country when measured as a share of residents’ income.
Financial Woes for Municipal Governments GrowWith the appointment of a fiscal overseer in East Providence on the heels of the bankruptcy in Central Falls, the fiscal situation for many cities and towns will take center stage.
Small Business Cheers Supreme Court Decision on ObamacareDirector Bill Vernon says that small business owners in Rhode Island may soon get some resolution to the health care issue, perhaps in their favor, because of the Supreme Court's decision today to take the NFIB case against Obamacare.
Take Action to Support Pension Reform for Rhode IslandRhode Island elected officials will soon engage in the debate to reform the state pension system. Contact your legislator and urge them to support real reform!
NFIB Backs Rhode Island Pension ReformDirector Bill Vernon says that a matter of elemental fairness, public employee pensions shouldn't be substantially more generous than the plans that small businesses can afford.
Small Business Optimism Inches UpwardDirector Bill Vernon says that small business optimism would surge with a little more certainty from Washington.
Pension Reform Plan IntroducedGovernor Chaffee and General Treasurer Raimondo have presented their pension reform plan to the General Assembly.
Be Aware of Sales and Use Tax ChangesSeveral new tax provisions from the FY 2012 Rhode Island state budget took effect on October 1.
Join the Fight for REAL Pension Reform in Rhode IslandOcean State business owners are being asked to join a coalition of Rhode Islanders urging lawmakers to make meaningful pension reforms.
Rhode Island Report - September 15, 2011State Director Bill Vernon reports on recent legislative developments in Providence.
Small Business Optimism PlungesDirector Bill Vernon says that President Obama's jobs plan is undermined by his call for higher income taxes.
Pension Hearing ScheduledPension hearings are scheduled in Providence to deal with the state's long-term fiscal problems associated with public employee benefits.
Manufacturing A Positive SignRecent figures on manufacturing signal a positive sign for the economy.
Navigating the Claims Process After Hurricane IreneHere's what you need to know when it comes time to filing a claim on your home or small business.
Resources and Tips for Rebuilding and Recovering from Hurricane IreneHere's a list of websites and advice to get you started as you reopen after the storm.
The Rise and Fall of Activist GroupsFor a small state, Rhode Island seems to have a diverse and healthy number of groups representing various view points and philosophies.
More State Pension and Benefit UpdatesA Supreme Court decision declaring that retired workers cannot be represented by public-employee unions has been reinforced by Superior Court Judge Robert Gallo.

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