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Legislative Updates
No one is more concerned about your quality of life and your business than you are, although the Chamber runs a close second. Click here for a list of local elected officials and contact information and let them know your thoughts and concerns.
SBA seeks rule to punish companies that misrepresent themselves to win contracts
A rule proposed by the Small Business Administration would allow the government to require that companies that misrepresent themselves to win contracts reserved for certain groups -- such as small business -- return the money. Under the rule, companies would have to certify their statuses online, and they could face penalties for bidding on reserved contracts they don't qualify for. While the rule could discourage some companies from applying for contracts, small companies that are sick of watching other businesses break the rules may welcome the change, said Alan Chvotkin of the Professional Services Council. The Washington Post (10/23)
Regulators toughen enforcement on firms with independent contractors
The internal revenue service will allow businesses to reclassify workers mistakenly considered to be independent contractors in exchange for a small payment. Employers don't have to pay Social Security or Medicare taxes for their independent contractors, but the distinction between such contractors and employees can be confusing. "Despite the IRS's program, the law remains unclear. For some firms there are three different sets of rules defining who is an employee," said NFIBs Bill Rys. Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model), The (09/22)
NFIB sues NLRB over workplace notice rule
NFIB filed suit against the National Labor Relations Board over a rule that will require businesses to post notices that tell workers they have the right to unionize. "With this latest rule, the NLRB has gone too far, passing mandate that vastly exceeds its authority -- largely at the cost of the small-business community, " said NFIB's Karen Harned. American City Business Journals (09/19)
Obama announces his $3.6 trillion deficit-reduction plan
President Barack Obama presented a plan to save $3.6 trillion over the next decade, and about half of the money would come from increasing taxes on the richest Americans. Republican leaders quickly voiced their opposition to the plan. Obama also recommended suspending interest rates on loans taken by states to provide benefits to their unemployed citizens. Reuters (09/19) Yahoo! (09/19)