Here's a look at challenges facing small businesses in South Carolina in the 2013 Legislative Session:
- Protect the Rights of small business: NFIB/SC has been at the forefront of legislation to protect the rights of small business owners. Two bills (H.5150/S.1467) were introduced this year that failed to become law. More bills will be introduced next year to correct what is known as the Jade Street ruling. The Court held that the General Assembly did not intend the Limited Liability Company Act to shield a member of a limited liability company from liability for his own torts
- Improve workers' compensation reform: Workers' comp rates remain one of the greatest challenges facing small businesses. With the cost of workers' comp insurance ever increasing NFIB/South Carolina is representing the state’s small businesses on the Workers' Compensation Value Discounted Committee as well as multiple smaller workers comp committees to ensure rates do not sky rocket and business has access to insurance. NFIB will also continue to supports efforts to reform the workers’ compensation system, reign in runaway attorney fees and require objective standards when determining a claimant’s award.
- Unemployment Insurance: The state thru increased business collections continues to repay the approximately $1 billion that was borrowed from the federal government for UI payments. However NFIB/SC continues to ensure that every business that is a good steward for their employees and has not abused the system will not see any rate increases.
- Limit government spending: State government should live within its means and save for rainy days – just as small businesses do. This requires meaningful caps that would prohibit runaway spending and dedicating reserves to specific functions of government such as infrastructure, education or refunds to taxpayers.
- Guard against harmful regulations: Small business is constantly being inundated with excessive paperwork and bureaucracy. With 95% of the SC workforce being a part of small business NFIB/SC continues to work with our governor and legislature to cut red tape and streamline procedures so small businesses can create badly needed jobs to grow our economy.