With all the critical issues that California is currently facing – rising unemployment, burdensome regulations and the threat of increased taxes – you would think our elected leaders would be focused on trying to get our state out of the quagmire it is in.  But sadly, they are once again in the weeds, trying to [...]

While the legislature is in session, the National Federation of Independent Business/California will be profiling anti-small business bills and initiatives and the adverse effect they would have on California’s job creators.  This is the second column of the 2012 series. Welcome to California, the land of fruits, nuts and over-regulation.  In this state, we regulate [...]

While the legislature is in session, the National Federation of Independent Business/California will be profiling anti-small business bills and initiatives and the adverse effect they would have on California’s job creators.  This is the first column of the 2012 series. Each year when March rolls around, I hold my breath, hoping that the Governor and [...]

Each year, the National Federation of Independent Business, California polls its members on state and national issues vital to their survival as entrepreneurs.  The results of this year’s poll were released Tuesday, and not much was a surprise. Based on the results, it’s not surprising how impassioned mom and pop businesses on Main Street are [...]

Ask any “mom and pop” small business owner how they’re feeling on Main Street California these days, and they’re most likely to give you the same answer: “Uncertain and scared.” And with good reason. California’s elected leaders continue to heap new taxes upon our leading job creators – and without one solitary reform to fix [...]

“I’m dreaming…of a …White Christmas…just like the ones we used to know.”  by Irving Berlin So goes the well-known holiday carol that Bing Crosby croons this time of year. Small businesses certainly have things that they are dreaming of – increased business, expanding their workforce, building their customer base and supporting their communities.  The question [...]

It isn’t easy being a small business owner in California with excessive regulations, the threat of higher taxes, and a lengthening recession. It’s no wonder most never know from one day to the next if they will be able to keep their employees on board and their doors open. Perhaps one of the worst challenges [...]

Yesterday the Governor and a bipartisan coalition of
legislative leaders announced an agreement on the Governor’s jobs plan. The
agreement closes a tax loophole on out-of-state corporations and provides real
tax relief to small businesses in California.

Specifically, the measure will provide $1 billion in permanent income tax
relief for small business owners by cutting personal income tax, the business
tax and the minimum tax. The bill also provides a permanent sales tax reduction
on manufacturing goods for all industries. The tax relief comes from closing a
tax loophole that allows out-of-state corporations to elect their tax code and
rewards keeping jobs in other states. The loophole is a perverse piece of
policy.

The revenue-neutral proposal passed the Assembly and will be taken up by the
Senate today. It is critically important that Republican and Democrat lawmakers
come together and pass this badly-needed tax reform without delay.

For me, Labor Day is about celebrating and
acknowledging those whose hard work fuels our economy and provides essential
goods and services for all of us.  As we
celebrate Labor Day this weekend, I’m reminded of some of the hardest working
laborers I know, the small businesses owners, independent contractors and other
job creators throughout California.  These dedicated workers serve as the economic
engine for our state. 

Our country became great because of the blood,
sweat and tears of some of America’s finest workers.  Today, their entrepreneurial spirit continues
through the hard work of thousands of small business owners and independent
contractors throughout our country.  That
is why it is particularly troublesome that some in federal and state government
have this sector of the workforce in their cross hairs.