Missouri small businesses name legislative priorities

Regulatory fairness, tort reform, unemployment compensation reform, workers' compensation reform and fending off small-business tax increases top Missouri Main Street's 2004 legislative agenda, said the state's largest small-business advocacy group, NFIB.

"These issues affect every small employer in Missouri, and will eventually crush the entrepreneurial spirit of Main Street if something is not done to reform out of date and out of control policies," said Brad Jones, state director of NFIB/Missouri. "Last year we were able to pass significant reform in the Legislature, but all efforts were stymied by the governor. We made a promise to fight for significant reform that will help Missouri Main Street do what it does best - create jobs and grow the state's economy."

Regulatory fairness

NFIB supports Senate Bill 718, sponsored by Sen. Anita Yeckel. The bill establishes a state level, small-business and regulatory flexibility statute that requires state agencies to give an economic impact analysis of proposed regulations on small businesses.

Tort reform

Because St. Louis was named one of the top 10 worst judicial venues in the nation in a study by the American Tort Reform Association, NFIB will support a comprehensive tort package, which could include elimination of venue shopping and reforming the practice of joint and several liability.

Unemployment compensation reform

NFIB will support a comprehensive unemployment insurance reform bill that recognizes that tax increases are not the only necessary change to guarantee the stability and long-term solvency of the unemployment compensation trust fund.

Workers' compensation reform

NFIB will support bills that will address cost drivers to the workers' compensation program. Small-business owners are reporting significant increases in their workers' compensation premiums, and they want to see reform this year.

Fend off small-business tax increases

Increasing taxes is not the way to stimulate the economy, and NFIB will stand behind all measures to increase small-business' tax burdens.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the nation's largest small-business advocacy group. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its 600,000 members in Washington and all 50 state capitals.