NFIB

Big Labor Makes Bigger Mess in Rhode Island

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Not content with double-digit unemployment, big labor is pushing legislation to expand the number of small businesses that will be subject to costly new apprentice ratios.

House Passes Reform that is Unhealthy for Rhode Island

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Instead of making healthcare more affordable, H.R. 3962 imposes more costs through its expensive employer mandates, punitive payroll taxes and a new government-run program.

Regulatory Flexibility Act a Victory for Small Business

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The new process for adopting regulations is essential to developing a favorable climate for economic growth, especially in states dependent on small business like Rhode Island.

NFIB Urges Governor to Oppose Apprenticeship Ratio Legislation

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New regulations from the state will only increase the cost of doing business at a time when all small businesses are struggling to survive.

Special Legislative Session Produces Few Results

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The special legislative session that took place on October 28 and 29 turned out to be much less ambitious than originally anticipated. Lawmakers tackled driving safety and indoor prostitution--what about jobs??

Will the Jobs Return to Rhode Island?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rhode Island's unemployment rate grew to more than 13% this month with the manufacturing sector shedding 5,400 jobs in 2009, growing the number of lost manufacturing jobs to 9,000 since the downturn began in 2007.

Is Rhode Island Bad for Business?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Forbes magazine recently ranked Rhode Island as having the worst business climate of all 50 states. Rhode Island dropped from number forty-five in 2008 to last in the nation for 2009.

State Asking Businesses to Prepare for Swine Flu

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rhode Island State Health Director David Gifford recently urged businesses to adapt their policies for a possible outbreak of the H1N1 virus in Rhode Island. Gifford informed panel participants that the virus could affect 30% of the RI population.

Small Business Asks President Obama to Support Reforms that Help, not Harm

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

NFIB head says president can choose to stand with small businesses who need healthcare reform.

NFIB State Director Bill Vernon on Business Talk

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

NFIB/Rhode Island State Director Bill Vernon was featured on the August 5 Business Talk with Frank Coletta in reaction to the Department of Revenue's threat to close nearly 1,200 businesses across the state.

Cease and Desist: State Should Halt Business Shut Downs

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With one of the highest state unemployment rates in the country, it is beyond stunning that Rhode Island officials would march down Main Street shutting down 1,200 businesses, leaving proprietors and thousands of workers on the street without a paycheck.

NFIB/Rhode Island Legislative Update - July 1, 2009

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday, Governor Carcieri reluctantly signed a $7.8 billion state spending plan despite his reservations. The governor said he would have preferred to let it become law without his signature, but delaying beyond the July 1st deadline would have put necessary federal funds at risk.

NFIB/Rhode Island Legislative Update - June 12, 2009

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We testified in favor of legislation that would make significant changes in the Rhode Island 'death tax'. Rhode Island currently has the highest estate tax in the nation with a personal exemption of only $650,000. Legislation under consideration would increase the exemption to $1,000,000--an important step in the right direction for Rhode Island.

NFIB/Rhode Island Legislative Update - May 14, 2009

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rhode Island, like many other states, has formed a commission to study the "underground economy" and worker misclassification in an attempt to recover uncollected tax revenues, UI payments, and workers compensation premiums for the state. While the main goal is to crack down on those employers who are skirting the rules, strict enforcement of worker classification rules can have an adverse and disproportionate impact on small businesses.

February/March 2009 Rhode Island MyVOICE

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Read the special NFIB member report on activism in Rhode Island, February/March 2009 edition.

NFIB/Rhode Island Legislative Update -- Jan. 30, 2009

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On Jan. 9 the Rhode Island district office of the Small Business Administration hosted its Third Annual Economic Summit at the Culinary Museum at Johnson and Wales University. Nearly 200 small business owners and activists filled the Culinary Archives and Museum of Johnson and Wales University. An additional 50 people were placed on a waiting list hoping to attend the standing room only event.

December/January 2009 Rhode Island MyVOICE

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Special NFIB member report on small business issues such as healthcare, taxes and frivolous lawsuits in Rhode Island, December/January 2009.

October/November 2008 Rhode Island MyVOICE

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Special NFIB member report on small business issues such as paid family leave, taxes and eminent domain in Rhode Island, October/November 2008.

2008 Rhode Island Voting Record (173KB, PDF)

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Your legislators' voting record on small business issues, 2008 edition.

NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Awards Scholarship to Rhode Island Student

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation has announced the Rhode Island recipient of the sixth annual NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards, a scholarship program designed to reward and encourage entrepreneurial talents among high school students. The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award recipients will attend the university, college, community college or vocational/technical institute of their choice with $1,000-$10,000 in tuition assistance from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation.