Yesterday the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that states would now be eligible for a new round of grants to help them regulate health insurance to stop excessive premium hikes. Almost $200 million is set aside for the effort that has already had $46 million given to states to help them start planning for this requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
South Carolina took advantage of the first round of funding under the ACA receiving $1 million for the S.C. Department of Insurance to begin the process of improving its ability to review health insurance premiums. In addition, the Department has also received $441,000 to support a Consumer Assistance Program and another $1 million to plan for a health insurance exchange. All three of these ACA-required programs are much needed.
So will South Carolina submit another grant to HHS for some of this new $200 million for a premium rate review—an effort to make sure consumers and businesses are not being taken advantage of by the insurance industry?
Well, that’s really not the first question that needs an answer.
The immediate question is—will Governor Haley’s administration keep the first three Federal grants? With all the tough political talk about how South Carolina doesn’t want Federal money especially for the new health care law, the decision might be to just tell the Feds to “keep its stinkin’ money.
But even if the critics miraculously win a 2013 Supreme Court verdict that the ACA’s individual mandate is Unconstitutional, the rest of the law with all its provisions would go on.
And even if it didn’t, what’s wrong with the state moving forward with health insurance premium rate review to protect consumers. Or setting up an insurance exchange that allows individuals and small businesses to pool together to save money on health insurance. Or improving a program to really help consumers understand health insurance options in order to make well-informed decisions? All are still great ideas even if a state does them on its own.
The inside scoop is that the Haley administration will keep the Federal grant monies to pursue all three programs and still trash the ACA calling for its repeal. Who doesn’t like having your cake and eating it too?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Will She or Won't She?
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Latest on Constitutionality of Affordable Care Act
In case you're keeping score, it is now 3-2 for the good guys.
Yesterday a third judge ruled that the Affordable Care Act is Constitutional. Thanks to our friends at the Small Business Majority for letting us know because neither the main stream media or the crazy right wing media is reporting on this. Now if the judge had ruled the other way, it would have been BIG news for the media.
Here is a statement from Tracy Schmaler, a spokeswoman with the Department of Justice, on the judge's decision:
Yesterday a third judge ruled that the Affordable Care Act is Constitutional. Thanks to our friends at the Small Business Majority for letting us know because neither the main stream media or the crazy right wing media is reporting on this. Now if the judge had ruled the other way, it would have been BIG news for the media.
Here is a statement from Tracy Schmaler, a spokeswoman with the Department of Justice, on the judge's decision:
We welcome this ruling, which marks the third time a court has reviewed the Affordable Care Act on the merits and upheld it as constitutional. This court found -- as two others have previously -- that the minimum coverage provision of the statute was a reasonable measure for Congress to take in reforming our health care system. At the same time, trial courts in additional cases have dismissed numerous challenges to this law on jurisdictional and other grounds. The Department will continue to vigorously defend this law in ongoing litigation.You can read the decision for yourself here.
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Monday, February 21, 2011
Health care options
The below editorial is from the Anderson (SC) Independent Mail
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Anderson Independent Mail
February 21, 2011
What will Republicans offer the American people if the party’s efforts to repeal health-care reform are successful?
“Replacing ‘Obamacare’ is not something we can do overnight,” Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., told the Washington Post. “It may take some time. But mark my words, we will get it done.” So far, however, all that has been accomplished (at least for the record) is the drafting of a resolution containing “broad, long-held GOP health-care goals” but no specifics — and the directing of four House committees to develop proposals.
The truth is, according to Fox News, the only plan the GOP has right now is to deny funding for the current plan. In a Feb. 8 story headlined “Republicans plan to choke off funding for health-care law,” the network reported that some House Republicans were eyeing the annual spending bill to pay for government operations as a way to “strip the health-care law of any dollars, thus depriving health-care operations of any money.”
Now that’s productive.
In 2009, during long-overdue discussions of health care in the United States, the GOP created H.R. 5424, “Reform Americans Can Afford,” in response to the Democrats’ proposal that became the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In our research, we found numerous references to the 2009 plan and its provisions, some portions of which made it into the final legislation signed into law last year.
The GOP proposal calls for the end to “junk lawsuits” through medical liability reforms. South Carolina has already reformed its medical malpractice lawsuit system, said John Ruoff, program director for the advocacy group South Carolina Fair Share.
Ruoff told the Associated Press that South Carolina stands to create jobs with the federal health-care law because more federal matching funds will be available for the state. Opting out would mean the state gives up $10.9 billion that would go to doctors, hospitals and other health- care businesses.
The 2009 GOP proposal gives small businesses the power to pool to offer health insurance at lower prices, like corporations and labor unions do. (That’s also a part of existing law. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPAC) created a pre-existing condition insurance plan to offer subsidized premiums to people who have been uninsured for at least six months and have yet-to-be-defined medical problems, according to www.healthinsurance.org, an independent site that researches consumer insurance issues.)
H.R. 5424 allows Americans to buy insurance across state lines, increasing competition. This last provision is a questionable benefit, according to the Congressional Budget Office, which looked at a bill along those lines in 2005. That legislation, reports the CBO, “would reduce the price of individual health-insurance coverage for people expected to have relatively low health-care costs while increasing the price of coverage for those expected to have relatively high health-care costs.” The consensus by the CBO was that the legislation “wouldn’t change the number of uninsured.”
H.R. 5424 “promotes prevention and wellness by giving employers greater flexibility to financially reward employees who adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.” Thousands of companies already do that. In fact, $200 million for small businesses to implement workplace wellness programs is in existing health-care reform.
And while 2010’s PPAC addresses insurers’ practices, such as cancellation for frivolous reasons, the GOP plan addresses only one instance: if the insured has sloppy paperwork. The plan’s other “plus” is “rewarding innovation by providing incentive payments to states that reduce premiums and the number of uninsured — without expanding government entitlement programs or creating new ones.”
If any state comes up with an idea that effective, we should all sign on — and fast –– and chip in for the reward.
The main objection to the health-care reform law and what has provoked lawsuits by more than 25 states, including South Carolina, to declare it unconstitutional are the individual and business mandates. And we’ll admit we can understand how that would rankle. But the truth, according to Frank Knapp, chief executive officer of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, is that at least 96 percent of the businesses in South Carolina have fewer than 50 employees and wouldn’t be required to comply.
And here’s another truth, a tough one: Without some mandate, something that would encourage the majority of Americans to have health-care coverage, reform will only work for a few.
As consumers, we are frequently trading up or trading down. New cell phones, faster computers, better clothes and cars, all dependent upon our fiscal situation at any point in time. What’s to stop us from doing the same thing with health-care coverage?
Too many people would simply wait until they are sick to get insurance, if insurers aren’t allowed to legally discriminate (as they are today), and in all fairness to the industry, the pool of only healthy people paying regular and long-term premiums with few claims wouldn’t be large enough to maintain a healthy business.
Do we care if insurance companies are healthy? We should. Without them — or a fully funded government-sponsored insurance plan for every American — a lot of us would be out of luck.
And out of money, especially if a catastrophic illness hits.
http://m.independentmail.com/news/2011/feb/21/health-care-options/
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Anderson Independent Mail
February 21, 2011
Health care options
What will Republicans offer the American people if the party’s efforts to repeal health-care reform are successful?
“Replacing ‘Obamacare’ is not something we can do overnight,” Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., told the Washington Post. “It may take some time. But mark my words, we will get it done.” So far, however, all that has been accomplished (at least for the record) is the drafting of a resolution containing “broad, long-held GOP health-care goals” but no specifics — and the directing of four House committees to develop proposals.
The truth is, according to Fox News, the only plan the GOP has right now is to deny funding for the current plan. In a Feb. 8 story headlined “Republicans plan to choke off funding for health-care law,” the network reported that some House Republicans were eyeing the annual spending bill to pay for government operations as a way to “strip the health-care law of any dollars, thus depriving health-care operations of any money.”
Now that’s productive.
In 2009, during long-overdue discussions of health care in the United States, the GOP created H.R. 5424, “Reform Americans Can Afford,” in response to the Democrats’ proposal that became the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In our research, we found numerous references to the 2009 plan and its provisions, some portions of which made it into the final legislation signed into law last year.
The GOP proposal calls for the end to “junk lawsuits” through medical liability reforms. South Carolina has already reformed its medical malpractice lawsuit system, said John Ruoff, program director for the advocacy group South Carolina Fair Share.
Ruoff told the Associated Press that South Carolina stands to create jobs with the federal health-care law because more federal matching funds will be available for the state. Opting out would mean the state gives up $10.9 billion that would go to doctors, hospitals and other health- care businesses.
The 2009 GOP proposal gives small businesses the power to pool to offer health insurance at lower prices, like corporations and labor unions do. (That’s also a part of existing law. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPAC) created a pre-existing condition insurance plan to offer subsidized premiums to people who have been uninsured for at least six months and have yet-to-be-defined medical problems, according to www.healthinsurance.org, an independent site that researches consumer insurance issues.)
H.R. 5424 allows Americans to buy insurance across state lines, increasing competition. This last provision is a questionable benefit, according to the Congressional Budget Office, which looked at a bill along those lines in 2005. That legislation, reports the CBO, “would reduce the price of individual health-insurance coverage for people expected to have relatively low health-care costs while increasing the price of coverage for those expected to have relatively high health-care costs.” The consensus by the CBO was that the legislation “wouldn’t change the number of uninsured.”
H.R. 5424 “promotes prevention and wellness by giving employers greater flexibility to financially reward employees who adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.” Thousands of companies already do that. In fact, $200 million for small businesses to implement workplace wellness programs is in existing health-care reform.
And while 2010’s PPAC addresses insurers’ practices, such as cancellation for frivolous reasons, the GOP plan addresses only one instance: if the insured has sloppy paperwork. The plan’s other “plus” is “rewarding innovation by providing incentive payments to states that reduce premiums and the number of uninsured — without expanding government entitlement programs or creating new ones.”
If any state comes up with an idea that effective, we should all sign on — and fast –– and chip in for the reward.
The main objection to the health-care reform law and what has provoked lawsuits by more than 25 states, including South Carolina, to declare it unconstitutional are the individual and business mandates. And we’ll admit we can understand how that would rankle. But the truth, according to Frank Knapp, chief executive officer of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, is that at least 96 percent of the businesses in South Carolina have fewer than 50 employees and wouldn’t be required to comply.
And here’s another truth, a tough one: Without some mandate, something that would encourage the majority of Americans to have health-care coverage, reform will only work for a few.
As consumers, we are frequently trading up or trading down. New cell phones, faster computers, better clothes and cars, all dependent upon our fiscal situation at any point in time. What’s to stop us from doing the same thing with health-care coverage?
Too many people would simply wait until they are sick to get insurance, if insurers aren’t allowed to legally discriminate (as they are today), and in all fairness to the industry, the pool of only healthy people paying regular and long-term premiums with few claims wouldn’t be large enough to maintain a healthy business.
Do we care if insurance companies are healthy? We should. Without them — or a fully funded government-sponsored insurance plan for every American — a lot of us would be out of luck.
And out of money, especially if a catastrophic illness hits.
http://m.independentmail.com/news/2011/feb/21/health-care-options/
Friday, February 18, 2011
Health insurance tax credits available
The South Carolina Small Business Chamber signed on to the following letter sent to two to the country’s largest tax preparer companies, H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, encouraging them to educate their clients about the small business health insurance tax credits available starting in 2010. This is but one of the ways the health insurance reform, the Affordable Care Act, will be helping make health insurance more affordable for small businesses.
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February 17, 2011
Dear Tax Professional,
Tax season is upon us once again, but this season brings with it an opportunity that hasn’t been available in the past—an opportunity to help save your small business clients some money. Thanks to the new healthcare law, small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time-equivalent employees and average wages of less than $50,000 will be eligible for a tax credit on their 2010 returns of up to 35% of their health insurance costs.
In the face of rising healthcare costs, the credit was included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to help the smallest businesses—the ones who have the hardest time affording insurance—provide their employees with coverage without breaking the bank. More than 4 million small businesses nationwide, or 83%, are eligible to receive the tax credit on their 2010 taxes. However, many don’t know it exists. It’s up to you to inform them.
We encourage you to educate your clients who are eligible for this credit so they can take advantage of it. It was created specifically to bring financial relief to the millions of small business owners struggling to afford health insurance. By spreading the word, you can make a substantial impact and ensure this credit doesn’t go unnoticed in the days leading up to the April 15 deadline.
Regards,
American Booksellers Association
American Small Business League
American Sustainability Business Council
Bay Area Council
Business for Shared Prosperity
Capital Area Independent Business Alliance
Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association
Main Street Alliance
Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership
National Puertorican Chamber of Commerce
National Small Business Association
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Northeast Business Group on Health
Oregon Small Business Advisory Council
Oregon Small Business for Responsible Leadership
Oregon Small Business Healthcare Initiative
Small Business California
Small Business Majority
South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce
Women Impacting Public Policy
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February 17, 2011
Dear Tax Professional,
Tax season is upon us once again, but this season brings with it an opportunity that hasn’t been available in the past—an opportunity to help save your small business clients some money. Thanks to the new healthcare law, small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time-equivalent employees and average wages of less than $50,000 will be eligible for a tax credit on their 2010 returns of up to 35% of their health insurance costs.
In the face of rising healthcare costs, the credit was included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to help the smallest businesses—the ones who have the hardest time affording insurance—provide their employees with coverage without breaking the bank. More than 4 million small businesses nationwide, or 83%, are eligible to receive the tax credit on their 2010 taxes. However, many don’t know it exists. It’s up to you to inform them.
We encourage you to educate your clients who are eligible for this credit so they can take advantage of it. It was created specifically to bring financial relief to the millions of small business owners struggling to afford health insurance. By spreading the word, you can make a substantial impact and ensure this credit doesn’t go unnoticed in the days leading up to the April 15 deadline.
Regards,
American Booksellers Association
American Small Business League
American Sustainability Business Council
Bay Area Council
Business for Shared Prosperity
Capital Area Independent Business Alliance
Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association
Main Street Alliance
Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership
National Puertorican Chamber of Commerce
National Small Business Association
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Northeast Business Group on Health
Oregon Small Business Advisory Council
Oregon Small Business for Responsible Leadership
Oregon Small Business Healthcare Initiative
Small Business California
Small Business Majority
South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce
Women Impacting Public Policy
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Thursday, February 17, 2011
Egypt: A warning for U.S. democracy
The below opinion editorial by SCSBCC president Frank Knapp, Jr. ran in the Augusta Free Press, The Ellis County Press (TX), Manufacturing Digest, NJ Today.
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Make no mistake about it – the peaceful Egyptian revolution was brought about by the workers and small business owners of that country protesting together. They want economic opportunity for all and a democratically elected government that puts its peoples’ interests above the interests of the financially powerful, well-connected oligarchy.
Our government structures are becoming ever more influenced by those with extremely deep pockets at the expense of our citizens and small businesses. And while we have a tradition of a democratic election process to address needed changes in our government, that process is becoming less and less democratic.
This important issue was the topic of many meetings on my recent trip to Washington – reducing the extraordinary influence of big corporate money in our government. Last year’s Citizens United Supreme Court ruling that corporations are “people” that have a Constitutional right to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections has moved our country rapidly down the road to a far less democratic nation – a road we were already on.
Our government “of the people, by the people and for the people” is in jeopardy of becoming “of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations.” Real “people” will only be pawns to be manipulated when corporate money totally dominates our elections. Already we’ve seen how corporate lobbyists dominate the legislative process.
Small businesses are and should be very concerned. We know that big U.S. and multi-national corporations are only interested in profits regardless of the consequence to small businesses.
The fact is that what is good for big business is often not good for small business.
Right now in Washington big corporate campaign donors are pushing:
Fortunately, citizens and small businesses across this country are organizing to take back our democracy from these corporate “persons.” We understand that what the Egyptians are demonstrating to get, we are on the verge of losing.
So while our members of Congress publicly express their support for the Egyptian peoples’ desire for real democracy, they need to look at the direction our own country is heading and start listening to the concerns of our citizens and small businesses.
Egypt is a warning to the United States.
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Egypt: A warning for U.S. Democracy
By Frank Knapp, Jr.
Make no mistake about it – the peaceful Egyptian revolution was brought about by the workers and small business owners of that country protesting together. They want economic opportunity for all and a democratically elected government that puts its peoples’ interests above the interests of the financially powerful, well-connected oligarchy.
There is a lesson here for our country.
Our government structures are becoming ever more influenced by those with extremely deep pockets at the expense of our citizens and small businesses. And while we have a tradition of a democratic election process to address needed changes in our government, that process is becoming less and less democratic.
This important issue was the topic of many meetings on my recent trip to Washington – reducing the extraordinary influence of big corporate money in our government. Last year’s Citizens United Supreme Court ruling that corporations are “people” that have a Constitutional right to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections has moved our country rapidly down the road to a far less democratic nation – a road we were already on.
Our government “of the people, by the people and for the people” is in jeopardy of becoming “of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations.” Real “people” will only be pawns to be manipulated when corporate money totally dominates our elections. Already we’ve seen how corporate lobbyists dominate the legislative process.
Small businesses are and should be very concerned. We know that big U.S. and multi-national corporations are only interested in profits regardless of the consequence to small businesses.
The fact is that what is good for big business is often not good for small business.
That is exactly the reason The South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce was founded over 10 years ago. Small businesses must fight for ourselves and not simply rely on paternalistic big businesses to allow scraps to fall off the bountiful table they have bought for themselves.
Right now in Washington big corporate campaign donors are pushing:
- for even more tax incentives for offshoring production and jobs – lost opportunities for small businesses to supply goods and services to domestic manufacturing and fewer workers buying from our local small businesses.
- to eliminate regulations aimed at protecting us from another financial meltdown causing another great recession – one that destroys the customers base, credit and loans small businesses need to survive.
- to cripple any chance for comprehensive national energy and climate legislation – a significant opportunity for jumpstarting a green economy that will both create new small businesses and offer more opportunities for existing ones.
These and other goals of big corporations, many that now have no allegiance to our country or any country, are likely to be successful not on the merits of the ideas but on the size of the corporate campaign chests.
Fortunately, citizens and small businesses across this country are organizing to take back our democracy from these corporate “persons.” We understand that what the Egyptians are demonstrating to get, we are on the verge of losing.
So while our members of Congress publicly express their support for the Egyptian peoples’ desire for real democracy, they need to look at the direction our own country is heading and start listening to the concerns of our citizens and small businesses.
Egypt is a warning to the United States.
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Frank Knapp Jr. is president and CEO of The South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Healthcare updates & etc.
Don't miss your health insuance tax credits
It’s tax time and if you have been providing health insurance for your employees, you need to learn more about the tax credits that you might be eligible for 2010. The Small Business Majority is holding a free webinar on this and other benefits of the new health care law this Thursday, February 17, at 3pm.
This one-hour webinar will discuss what is in the Affordable Care Act to help small businesses. Topics include: small business tax credits (who’s eligible for them and how to claim them), state insurance exchanges, high-risk pools, shared responsibility, cost containment, and tools and resources available for small businesses interested in learning more about the law. A question and answer period will follow.
CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER
https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=vcp39j080tev
Lower rates available now for High Risk Pool
If you have a pre-existing medical condition that has stopped you from obtaining health insurance, there is a program under the Affordable Care Act to help. The Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan has now dropped its rates16-20% from the average rate in your area. Plus, the federally run plan has now made it even easier to qualify. You can now simply get a letter from an insurance agent or broker stating that you are denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. This is a great opportunity for self-employed or business owners who do not have group health insurance. Click here to find out more.
Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham pushing for legislation to allow states to “opt out” of healthcare
On Monday Governor Nikki Haley and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham held a press conference at the State House to criticize the Affordable Care Act.
Immediately after that press conference, SCSBCC president Frank Knapp, S.C. Fair Share's John Ruoff and AARP-SC state director Jane Wiley responded to the comments made by the Governor and Senator. Below are some links to the press coverage.
SC Governor: Let States Opt Out Of Health Care Law
Critics Question Haley's Numbers
Click HERE to listen to John Ruoff's Comments
Graham, Haley push for health reform opt-out for states
Small Business Networking- February 22
We hope to see you at our next BuySC Networking event, Tuesday February 22, 6-8pm at Worth Repeating, 615 Meeting Street, West Columbia, SC.
This event will be all about networking and we'll try out some fun new ways to meet each other and share business tips.
6:30pm Speed Networking!
7:00pm Mini Lecture: Outclass Your Competition! Learn What Your Body Language is Telling Your Clients, by Gerald Glascock, body language expert and Director at The Southern Institute of Etiquette and Protocol.
Light refreshments and beverages will be served, too. This event is free for all SCSBCC members and their guests. Space is limited, so drop an email to stephanie@scsbc.org to reserve your place.
Plan ahead and make the most of your networking time.
Know your business well and be able to describe what you do in a few clear sentences.
Know what you want from networking and what you have to offer
Bring your business cards!
Killer Secrets at BuySC Micro Conference
We were pleased to see so many new and familiar faces come out to enjoy January's BuySC Micro Conference, Killer Secrets of Successful Entreprenuers.
Thanks also to BuySC member Jim Potts of Paparazzi Photography for his photo services at this event!
Eat, Drink & Be Local!
It's Official-The Spring 2011 BuySC Action Campaign will feature Locally Owned Restaurants!
This campaign represents ALL South Carolina locally owned dining establishments! Nominate YOUR favorite small business restaurant for inclusion in this campaign.
Email your nomination to stephanie@scsbc.org. Stayed tuned for more details on local dining.
Listen In for Small Biz News On Our New Radio Segment!
Each Thursday at 4:07pm on WOIC 1230 AM, U Need 2 Know, Host Frank Knapp interviews small business professionals on all things small biz!
Live streaming at http://www.uneed2know.info/
Fan SCSBCC on facebook!
Fan BuySC on facebook!
It’s tax time and if you have been providing health insurance for your employees, you need to learn more about the tax credits that you might be eligible for 2010. The Small Business Majority is holding a free webinar on this and other benefits of the new health care law this Thursday, February 17, at 3pm.
This one-hour webinar will discuss what is in the Affordable Care Act to help small businesses. Topics include: small business tax credits (who’s eligible for them and how to claim them), state insurance exchanges, high-risk pools, shared responsibility, cost containment, and tools and resources available for small businesses interested in learning more about the law. A question and answer period will follow.
CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER
https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=vcp39j080tev
Lower rates available now for High Risk Pool
If you have a pre-existing medical condition that has stopped you from obtaining health insurance, there is a program under the Affordable Care Act to help. The Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan has now dropped its rates16-20% from the average rate in your area. Plus, the federally run plan has now made it even easier to qualify. You can now simply get a letter from an insurance agent or broker stating that you are denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. This is a great opportunity for self-employed or business owners who do not have group health insurance. Click here to find out more.
Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham pushing for legislation to allow states to “opt out” of healthcare
On Monday Governor Nikki Haley and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham held a press conference at the State House to criticize the Affordable Care Act.
Immediately after that press conference, SCSBCC president Frank Knapp, S.C. Fair Share's John Ruoff and AARP-SC state director Jane Wiley responded to the comments made by the Governor and Senator. Below are some links to the press coverage.
SC Governor: Let States Opt Out Of Health Care Law
Critics Question Haley's Numbers
Click HERE to listen to John Ruoff's Comments
Graham, Haley push for health reform opt-out for states
Small Business Networking- February 22
We hope to see you at our next BuySC Networking event, Tuesday February 22, 6-8pm at Worth Repeating, 615 Meeting Street, West Columbia, SC.
This event will be all about networking and we'll try out some fun new ways to meet each other and share business tips.
6:30pm Speed Networking!
7:00pm Mini Lecture: Outclass Your Competition! Learn What Your Body Language is Telling Your Clients, by Gerald Glascock, body language expert and Director at The Southern Institute of Etiquette and Protocol.
Light refreshments and beverages will be served, too. This event is free for all SCSBCC members and their guests. Space is limited, so drop an email to stephanie@scsbc.org to reserve your place.
Plan ahead and make the most of your networking time.
Know your business well and be able to describe what you do in a few clear sentences.
Know what you want from networking and what you have to offer
Bring your business cards!
Killer Secrets at BuySC Micro Conference
We were pleased to see so many new and familiar faces come out to enjoy January's BuySC Micro Conference, Killer Secrets of Successful Entreprenuers.
Thanks also to BuySC member Jim Potts of Paparazzi Photography for his photo services at this event!
Eat, Drink & Be Local!
It's Official-The Spring 2011 BuySC Action Campaign will feature Locally Owned Restaurants!
This campaign represents ALL South Carolina locally owned dining establishments! Nominate YOUR favorite small business restaurant for inclusion in this campaign.
Email your nomination to stephanie@scsbc.org. Stayed tuned for more details on local dining.
Listen In for Small Biz News On Our New Radio Segment!
Each Thursday at 4:07pm on WOIC 1230 AM, U Need 2 Know, Host Frank Knapp interviews small business professionals on all things small biz!
Live streaming at http://www.uneed2know.info/
Fan SCSBCC on facebook!
Fan BuySC on facebook!
Friday, February 11, 2011
D.C. trip review
Wednesday afternoon I joined numerous other members of the American Sustainable Business Council for an extended meeting at the U.S. Department of Labor with Secretary Hilda Solis.
Below is a blog about this meeting from the co-founder of the American Sustainable Business Council and Seventh Generation, Jeffrey Hollender:
The Bright Side of Government
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| Frank Knapp with Danny Herrera, Media Matters |
My trip to D.C. this week was very successful. I participated in a Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference panel discussion sponsored by the American Sustainable Business Council on small business and good jobs, met my friends at Media Matters, and talked about the threat of corporate money in campaigns with Common Cause folks.
I also discussed the need to promote programs to help our country’s small manufacturers with staff from the offices of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown and South Carolina Representatives Tim Scott, Jeff Duncan and Trey Gowdy.
My brief comments to Secretary Solis emphasized that need to invigorate our domestic manufacturing if we want to create the jobs we need. I pointed out that 90% of manufacturers in South Carolina have fewer than 100 employees and 84% have less than 50 workers making manufacturing a small business sector in our state as it probably is in the rest of the country. I stressed the need to stop giving tax incentives for offshoring jobs and for the creation of a national manufacturing policy that includes strengthening the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program and other efforts to jumpstart our manufacturing sector.
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| Frank with Mary Boyle (L) and Eileen Toback (R) of Common Cause |
My brief comments to Secretary Solis emphasized that need to invigorate our domestic manufacturing if we want to create the jobs we need. I pointed out that 90% of manufacturers in South Carolina have fewer than 100 employees and 84% have less than 50 workers making manufacturing a small business sector in our state as it probably is in the rest of the country. I stressed the need to stop giving tax incentives for offshoring jobs and for the creation of a national manufacturing policy that includes strengthening the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program and other efforts to jumpstart our manufacturing sector.The Bright Side of Government
February 9, 2011
Today for close to one and a half hours the Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis sat patiently, deeply engaged as she listened to the challenges and opportunities small business faces in a country dominated by the influence of large multinational corporations. These small companies believe in livable wages, health care for all, and reversing the concentration of wealth that threatens to tear our society apart.
Almost 20 of us sat around the table representing the 65,000 companies that are part of the American Sustainable Business Council, businesses that are all committed to a just, equitable and sustainable economy. We joined by no fewer than six representatives of Secretary Solis’s senior staff. As the conversation circled around the table the Secretary made notes, asked questions, recommended opportunities for her staff to follow-up on an idea or seek more information.
The Secretary has personally surmounted many obstacles, perhaps more than anyone else in the room. A four-term congresswoman, she became the first Hispanic woman to serve as a cabinet member. Her mother worked in a toy factory, her father in a battery recycling plant, where he contracted lead poisoning.
The third of seven children, she grew up in a modest home near a giant landfill just east of Los Angeles.
Today’s dialogue helped renew my faith in government. I saw first hand deeply passionate and caring people trying desperately to do the right thing. Sometimes what’s missing from the process is us. Our voices of support embolden their conviction. In a political process dominated by money, lobbyists, and self-serving interest groups the door was open for people who perhaps hadn’t fully realized how essential that are to the process of governance.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Create jobs here, not there
When I heard that President Obama was going to address the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and all the news commentators said that it was his effort to get back in the good graces of the business community, I cringed.
The U.S. Chamber doesn’t represent the business community. It represents the BIG and multi-national business community. The President has done a good job for small business (even if many still don’t realize it).
So I was relieved and pleased to hear that the President had this message earlier today for the U.S. Chamber:
Meyerson writes in The American Prospect:
Obviously, this must end.
This week I’ll be in D.C. talking about the need to promote American manufacturing, truly a small business sector in South Carolina. I’ll be on a panel at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference and the next day meeting with Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.
If we’re going to invigorate manufacturing in this country to create the jobs we need, our efforts should be targeted to small manufactures. If the big boys want to keep sending jobs out of the country, they need to start doing it without the American taxpayer’s help.
The U.S. Chamber doesn’t represent the business community. It represents the BIG and multi-national business community. The President has done a good job for small business (even if many still don’t realize it).
So I was relieved and pleased to hear that the President had this message earlier today for the U.S. Chamber:
Now is the time to invest in America. . . If we as a nation are going to invest in innovation, that innovation should lead to new jobs and manufacturing on our shores. The end result of tax breaks and investments cannot simply be that new breakthroughs and technologies are discovered in America, but manufactured overseas.Corporate (not small business) profits are soaring but as Harold Meyerson points out the huge profits for big business are not being invested here at home. The GEs, Apples, Intels and Hewlett-Packards and other big businesses of their ilk (once America’s business icons to be admired), now create more jobs in other countries than they do in the United States.
Meyerson writes in The American Prospect:
With each passing year, and even more so during the recession, America's leading corporations grow more and more decoupled from the American economy. Their interests grow increasingly detached from those of our workers, our consumers -- and our economic future.Making this situation even worse is that we give tax incentives to big manufacturers to export jobs. Our foreign competitors must roll in laughter as our American dollars fuel their job growth.
Obviously, this must end.
This week I’ll be in D.C. talking about the need to promote American manufacturing, truly a small business sector in South Carolina. I’ll be on a panel at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference and the next day meeting with Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.
If we’re going to invigorate manufacturing in this country to create the jobs we need, our efforts should be targeted to small manufactures. If the big boys want to keep sending jobs out of the country, they need to start doing it without the American taxpayer’s help.
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Thursday, February 3, 2011
SCSBCC February Newsletter
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| Our Latest Action Campaign! |
- US Senate Votes to Repeal 1099 Provision
- Workers Compensation Commission Sides with Small Businesses
- DEW Drops Plan that Would Hurt Small Business
- SC Government and Big Businesses Already Benefiting from “Obamacare”
- State Legislative Agenda
- Nuclear Industry Looking for Small Business Subcontractors
- SCSBCC Prez to Meet with DOL Secretary
- NEW FEATURE! Take Our Mini Survey!
- Killer Secrets at BuySC Micro Conference
- Thanks to Our New Members!!!
- It's Official-The Spring 2011 BuySC Action Campaign will feature Locally Owned Restaurants!
- Listen In for Small Biz News On Our New Radio Segment!
US Senate Votes to Repeal 1099 Provision
The US Senate voted 87-17 yesterday to repeal the highly unpopular 1099 provision in the Affordable Care Act a week after President Obama called for the repeal in his State of the Union address. The Small Business Chamber has also called for the 1099 repeal.
The 1099 part of the ACA requires a business to report payments made for over $600 for goods and services to the IRS using a 1099. This idea started in the last Bush administration to uncover income not being reported by businesses to avoid taxes. The concept found its way into the ACA as a way to generate about $19 billon more dollars to help pay for the provisions in the Act.
Now it is up to the US House of Representatives to also vote to support this repeal ammendment that the Senate has passed.
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Workers Compensation Commission Sides with Small Businesses
The insurance industry recently wanted the state Workers’ Compensation Commission to shorten the cancellation period for businesses that were late in making premium payments. We asked you to contact the Commissioners to oppose the proposal and you responded.
The Commission voted unanimously to deep six the idea after a public hearing in which the Small Business Chamber made a presentation. Read more about how this victory for small business came about by clicking here.
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DEW Drops Plan that Would Hurt Small Business
The response from the business community was so intensely negative, especially from small businesses and CPA’s, that at a public hearing last week scheduled to obtain public input DEW quickly announced that they had dropped the idea.
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SC Government and Big Businesses Already Benefiting from “Obamacare”
The Florida judge's ruling Monday against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is just one more step along the path to a final decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in a few years. Now two Federal Judges have deemed the individual mandate to be unconstitutional and two have not found it to be so. Of note is that no judge has found the expansion of Medicaid in the ACA to be unconstitutional.
Click here to read more.
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State Legislative Agenda
The Board of Directors for the SCSBCC has approved a position on the following bills introduced in the South Carolina Legislature. More information on these and future bills and how you can be involved will be forthcoming.
-Support Solar Tax Credits for Commercial Buildings—H.3346
-Eliminate Second Injury Fund time limit for refunds that prevent businesses from recouping overpayment of Workers’ Compensation premiums—S.214, S.315
- Support Technical College Lottery Tuition Assistance (at least $900 per semester)—Budget
-Oppose Requirement that Businesses Garnish Wages—S.124
-Support Elimination of Most Favored Nation Health Insurance Contract Clauses—S.316
-Support W.C. Carriers Using Latest Approved Lost Cost Multiplier—H.3111
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Nuclear Industry Looking for Small Business Subcontractors
New Carolina: South Carolina's Council on Competitiveness is a non-profit organization working to increase South Carolina’s economic competitiveness through a cluster development strategy. New Carolina received a $600,000 contract from the Small Business Administration to engage small business in the nuclear industry.
There are six nuclear plants that have been proposed within 3 hours of Columbia. This is an investment by the utilities of more than $30 billion. At peak construction the four plants in SC will employ 38,000 people
New Carolina is currently soliciting small businesses interested in providing their services for these projects. Please contact Scott Carlberg for more information at 704.841.7649.or Carlbsc@Carolina.rr.com.
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SCSBCC Prez to Meet with DOL Secretary
Small Business Chamber president Frank Knapp will be meeting with U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis in Washington next Wednesday. He will be talking with Secretary Solic specifically about the need to promote American manufacturing. In South Carolina 90% of manufacturers have fewer than 100 employees and 84% have less than 50 employees making manufacturing a small business sector in our economy. Accompanying Mr. Knapp will be others from the American Sustainable Business Council on which Mr. Knapp serves on the steering committee.
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NEW FEATURE! Take Our Mini Survey!
At the SCSBCC, we strive to understand the needs of small business. In last month's member survey, participants told us that Financing rates highest on their lists of small business concerns. Have you pursued additional financing for YOUR business this past year? Yes or no, please complete the first of our monthly BuySC Micro Surveys. The survey is short, sweet and anonymous, and we'll share the results with you via Frank Knapp's blog, UnConflictedSC.com, so stay tuned!
Click here to take the BuySC Micro Survey
Click here to take the BuySC Micro Survey
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Killer Secrets at BuySC Micro Conference
January's BuySC Micro Conference was rescheduled from 1/11 to 1/18 due to an early 2011 snowstorm, but it was worth the wait. We were pleased to see so many new and familiar faces come out to enjoy this event. Thanks to co-authors Jerry Bellune, Cathy and Randy Lanier, and Ken Gasque of Killer Secrets of Successful Entreprenuers for sharing their secrets of success with us. Guests enjoyed the book signing and networking after the lectures. The comfortable Gallery Room of The Inn at USC combined with delicious refreshments from our Sponsor Members Savunya Jackson of Catering With Design and Yvonne Shaw of Edible Arrangements made the evening even more festive. Proceeds from the book sales go to Campaign for Literacy, a literacy tutoring program for functionally-illiterate adults in South Carolina and enough books were sold that evening to fund literacy tutoring for one adult.
West Columbia, SC. This event will be All About Networking and we'll try out some fun new ways to meet each other and share business tips. Light refreshments and beverages will be served, too. This event is free for all SCSBCC members. Space is limited, so drop an email to stephanie@scsbc.org to reserve your place. Bring a guest if you like!
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Thanks to Our New Members!!!
SUPER SPONSORS: Sport’s Trophies, Popowski, Callas & Shirley, Tiffany's Bakery & Eatery
SPONSORS: Able Transport Inc, Austral Salon, Catering By Design, Coal Powered Filmworks, Cut-M-Up Landscaping, Flip the Switch Promotions, Gervais & Vine, Gist Law Firm, Hennessy's Restaurant & Lounge, Idea Balloons, Longer Days, Midlands Promotional Marketing LLC, The Oyster Bar, Palmetto Business Finance LLC, Premier Cuts, LLC, Rosso Trattoria Italia, Salty's Surf Shop, Very's Great Philly Food, Webster Plumbing & Gas
SUPPORTERS: Eco Sanctuary Studio, Edmond Consulting Group LLC, EnviroSmart,Natural Escape Day Spa, Oh! Salon, Tic Toc Candy Shoppe, The Wellness Have @ The Vista
FRIENDS: AAAA's Flooring America, Becky Martin, Business America USACapital Supply of Columbia, Clare Morris Agency, Creative Kids Toyshop, DBS Company, Greenery Gallery, LLC, The Knight Company, Leon's Mobile Auto Headliner Service, Miss Ma'am Boutique, Mojo City Salon, OVER 50 TRAVEL CLUB, Palmetto Awards, Pleasurable Cleanings, S&S Art Supply, Site-Image, Toys By Andy, Trash Alternatives, Villa Brazil
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It's Official-The Spring 2011 BuySC Action Campaign will feature Locally Owned Restaurants!
Nominate YOUR favorite small business restaurant for inclusion in this campaign. Email your nomination to stephanie@scsbc.org. Stayed tuned for more details on local dining.
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Listen In for Small Biz News On Our New Radio Segment!
Each Thursday at 4:07pm on WOIC 1230 AM, U Need 2 Know, Host Frank Knapp interviews small business professionals on all things small biz!
Live streaming at http://www.uneed2know.info/
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