This year's legislative session may be over, but NFIB/Virginia is already gearing up for 2013. Here's a look at some of the issues we'll be facing in the year ahead:
Tax Reform
Business, professional, occupational license (BPOL) taxes and machinery and tools taxes are some of the most onerous taxes small businesses pay. House BIll 10, which was carried over in the Senate, took another step in reducing the undue hardship of BPOL taxes. It prohibited a locality from increasing its BPOL taxes above their 2011 rates and it provided that a locality who currently does not impose a BPOL may elect to institute the BPOL tax but it must be based on Virginia taxable income rather than gross receipts.
There is significant talk around the Capitol that the commonwealth may be considering comprehensive tax reform to reduce the burden on Virginia’s citizens and small businesses.
NFIB will continue to fight for the major goals of small-business tax reform - keeping rates permanently low, reducing complexity, avoiding disparity between corporate and individual tax rates and eliminating major obstacles to small-business growth such as the BPOL and machinery and tools taxes.
Health Care
The General Assembly decided to wait for the outcome of the US Supreme Court’s decision regarding the federal health care reform law before enacting a health-benefits exchange. Since health-care remains a top priority for our members, NFIB/Virginia will continue to participate in discussions related to the Health Benefits Exchange to ensure that the exchange truly provides beneficial and affordable choices for small businesses.
Regulatory Reform
NFIB/Virginia supports greater transparency, accountability and involvement in the regulatory process. In addition, we support efforts to limit unnecessary licensure procedures and protectionist laws and rules that are meant to limit competition. House Bill 390, which we supported, was carried over for further study. It prohibited any new regulatory program or a change in the level of regulation of a profession or occupation until the proposal was reviewed by the Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation to determine the need for the new regulatory program. If the proposed regulation passed the department's review, it couldn't become law until it was approved a second time by the General Assembly.
NFIB will continue to work with Governor McDonnell’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring to institute meaningful regulatory reform.