NFIB continues push to get petty theft bill passed in a Legislature that seems to want to concentrate on only a few measures
NFIB/Alaska State Director Denny DeWitt reports from Juneau on the small-business agenda for the legislative week ending May 5.
It has been a slow week in the Legislature. The Senate has been hearing testimony on the House proposal for increases in the petroleum taxes and little else. The House has been listening to experts on why an income tax is wonderful. Little else has happened.
The Senate has had no further hearings on House Bill 115, the income tax bill. As we reported NFIB testified against it in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee and continues its strong opposition.
The hearings on Senate Bill 54 and Senate Bill 55, correcting problems with last year’s crime bill, were both canceled this week. We continue working to get these passed this year. NFIB-member emails to Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins helped get more attention on the issue. While SB 54 hearing was postponed, there is activity behind the scenes, knowing of its important to small businesses.
Next week House Bill 142, the increase in the unemployment insurance tax and benefit, is scheduled to be heard in the House Finance Committee. Just one more shot at small businesses by the current House majority. NFIB continues its strong opposition.
Previous Reports & Related News Releases
April 28 Report–Which Will Cave Over State Income Tax, House or Senate?
April 21 Report—One Adjournment Deadline Ignored. Will a Second Be?
April 14 Report—NFIB Victory: Independent Contractors Pulled out of State’s Crosshairs
April 7 Report—NFIB Forcing Legislature to Practice What it Preaches
March 31—NFIB Testifies in Favor of Tougher Petty Theft Penalties
March 24 Report—Hearings on a New State Income Tax Take Center Stage
March 17 Report—NFIB Victory: Deceptive Income Tax Proposal Put Aside
March 10 Report—NFIB, State Still Far Apart on Defining Independent Contractors
March 3 Report—NFIB to Fight Alaska bid to Spike UI Wages
February 24 Report—Gas Tax Increase, State Income Tax Bills Still Alive
February 17 Report—NFIB to Testify Against Assault on Independent Contractors
February 10 Report—NFIB Looking at Four Fixes to Omnibus Crime Bill
February 3 Report—Flaw in SB 91: What Penalty for Petty Theft?
January 27 Report—Independent Contractors Once Again in Crosshairs of Alaska Legislature
January 20 Report—Costly Bills Make Return Engagement in Juneau
January 5 News Release—Poll: Alaska Should Not Be in The Retirement Business
[Tile photo of House Finance Committee courtesy of The Alaska State Legislature website.]
