A few weeks ago, NFIB/Virginia scored big in our state elections. We endorsed 46 candidates in state legislative races and 38 won for an 83 percent success rate.
Control of the Virginia State Senate was the main focus of this year’s NFIB endorsements.
With a 21-19 pro-small business majority in the Senate, it was critical that NFIB supported business friendly candidates. With our support and resources, our pro-small business majority was maintained in both the Senate and House.
So as we finish up 2015, we prepare for the 2016 General Assembly Session. We expect to see a number of efforts to increase the cost of running a business with calls for an increase in the minimum wage, require paid sick leave, and crackdown on the use of independent contractors. NFIB/Virginia will continue to fight against these burdensome mandates.
We also fight Governor McAuliffe’s efforts to expand Obamacare in Virginia. The Governor has already hinted that he plans to take another crack at expanding Medicaid and likely will propose a “bed tax” on hospitals and other providers to pay the state’s share of the expansion costs. Again,
we’ll oppose his efforts.
Finally, we hope to advocate for proposals to provide more competition and lower costs in the healthcare arena as well as legislation to curb increasing workers compensation costs. We hope you’ll join us in January for our Small Business Day activities where you’ll learn more about the issues being discussed at the State Capitol that will impact small business and you’ll visit with your legislators.
We hope you close 2015 on a good note and help us voice small businesses’ concerns in 2016.
