State and Federal Legislative Issues 2011
2010 Priority Federal Legislative Issues
Oppose legislation that would make unionization of the workplace easier, including the initiative to abolish secret ballot elections in favor of card check majorities for union recognition. Specifically oppose enactment of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Oppose creation of a new federal agency to regulate consumer financial products. A proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) would have unprecedented power and authority to determine types of financial products consumers can choose from. Support consumer protections by weeding out fraudulent actors and predatory products and ensuring consumers have access to clear and concise information about terms and conditions of products and risks they pose.
Support healthcare reform that increases accessibility to and affordability of healthcare insurance for business and their workers, eliminating overpricing, cost shifting from indigents and incentives for wellness. Support tax credits for individual and family health insurance plans.
Oppose efforts to mandate or require employers to provide specific health insurance benefits. Employers are encouraged to offer benefits consistent with their ability to afford them.
Support comprehensive approach to solving the nation’s looming transportation infrastructure crisis, including adequate funding mechanisms. Advocate for a multi-modal and intermodal vision that increases capacity, reduces congestion and improves the efficient, safe and sustainable movement of goods and people throughout the country.
Support Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers and Small Businesses Act of 2009. This bill would make permanent the current estate tax exemption of $3.5 million per person and a top tax rate of 45%.
Support making the existing capital gains tax structure permanent.
Oppose new non-scientific regulations on business and industry. Need for new environmental regulations should be proven by scientific data and phased-in to minimize cost impact on business and industry.
Support a National Energy Policy that aggressively promotes securing available energy resources from North America to reduce our dependence on foreign fuels and provide incentives for the development of robust energy options including coal, nuclear, natural gas, oil and renewable sources.
Favor a U.S. policy on climate change that is economy-wide in its reach, rather than targeting single industries for emissions reductions; is national in scope, yet considers varying impacts across regions and economic sectors; is simple to administer; and provides price stability and affordability. Oppose legislation that would impose cap and trade emissions limits and policies on utilities and businesses.
2010 Priority State Legislative Issues
Support reduction in corporate and personal income taxes to enable North Carolina to become more competitive for economic development. NC currently has the highest business income taxes in the Southeast. Additionally, oppose taxation of services.
Oppose efforts to erode North Carolina’s Right-to-Work laws. Oppose collective bargaining for public employees.
Support economic development initiatives that bring jobs to North Carolina, including incentives that keep North Carolina competitive with other states, including retention and expansion of the 3J Tax Credit, 1 NC fund and Job Development Investment Grants (JDIG). When utilizing incentives, a balance should be maintained between new and existing industry of all sizes and cost vs. benefit. Should we mention specifically retention of tax credits?
Oppose House Bill 813, Uniform Apportionment of Tort Responsibility, in its current form. This bill, which passed the House in 2009, would dramatically alter North Carolina’s balanced civil liability system. HB 813 eliminates the longstanding doctrine of contributory negligence, creates a comparative fault system and modifies, but does not eliminate, joint and several liability. The business and healthcare communities can only consider supporting HB 813 if changes are made to maintain the balance provided by North Carolina’s current civil liability system.
Support initiatives to expedite road construction funding in North Carolina, to include:1)Modification of NCDOT road construction equity formula to 2/3 on population, 1/3 on surface mileage; 2) implementation of new funding sources to augment dwindling gasoline tax revenues; 3) placement of additional emphasis on mass transit.
Support completion of the Monroe Parkway on the current schedule of the NC Turnpike Authority, which includes completion in 2104. Support Gov. Perdue’s plan for immediate funding and completion of I-485.
Support a State Energy Policy that provides incentives for the development of robust energy options including coal, nuclear, natural gas, oil and renewable sources that will provide sufficient cost effective energy resources for the continued economic growth.
Support new funding to enhance community college economic and workforce development programs, including funding for the Creating Success for NC program, which will provide an additional $106 million to address enrollment and equipment needs. Support new and continued funding for South Piedmont Community College.
Support Workers’ Compensation reform. Workers’ Compensation costs in NC are higher than surrounding states and there has been no major reform in almost 15 years. Medical costs are growing at a rate greater than inflation. Favor initiatives that reduce medical costs and provide return to work opportunities for injured workers.
Eliminate waste and improve efficiency in state agencies to attain a balanced budget as required by law.
Support development of a more efficient system of managing the State’s probation system to restore public confidence in the system and protect the state’s citizenry from repeat criminal offenses.
Oppose targeted taxes that would impede business development and stifle home ownership. Specifically, support repeal of enabling legislation for land transfer tax and impact fees.
Oppose mandatory combined reporting of corporate income. Support efforts to clarify and make consistent the authority of the NC Department of Revenue to force a combined return in certain circumstances. We are opposed to the idea of mandatory combined returns in any form. The issue of forced combination is a little different. DOR currently can force a combination if they believe there is a need to address tax avoidance by a corporation. While we are not opposed to them having that ability we feel strongly that there should be some guidelines as to when and how they can do it. There are no guidelines and the courts have made this situation a real mess. Hence our position that we support effort to clarify and make consistent.
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Union County Chamber of Commerce.