In Your Backyard - March 11, 2008

Alabama
Lawmakers Introduce Anti-Immigration Bills
Democrats in the Alabama House introduced a package of bills last week aimed at controlling the flow of illegal immigrants into the state, including one to shut down businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Republicans in the House and Senate have also introduced bills dealing with illegal immigrants this session and chided Democrats for belatedly taking action. Sen. Scott Beason, a Republican who has been outspoken on immigration matters, said the House bills are evidence of how much pressure the public is putting on the Legislature to act.
Source: Associated Press

 

California
Bank Survey Finds Small Business Owners 'Cautious' in 2008
Small business owners across California have grown increasingly cautious, as the economic climate has become more uncertain, according to a survey done for Union Bank of California. That caution is impacting profit outlooks for the year as well as spending and hiring plans, the survey says. The bank's annual survey, which has been tracking trends among small business owners for the past eight years, found 52% of respondents statewide believe 2008 will be more profitable than 2007, a 15 percentage-point decline from last year's results.
Source: Central Valley Business Times

 

South Dakota
New Liquor License Law Expected to Attract Business
Business leaders are urging Gov. Mike Rounds (R) to sign a new liquor-license regulation bill that they say could spur investment. Developers claim difficulty getting a liquor license has turned off a number of franchises considering expansion into the Sioux Falls market, and 23 people are on the waiting list. The bill, approved last month and still awaiting Rounds' signature, would allow cities to issue additional liquor licenses to full-service restaurants. It's a compromise on changing the system of issuing liquor licenses in South Dakota based on population.
Source: Argus Leader

 

Virginia
Lawmakers Leave NCLB Withdrawal to Education Board
The General Assembly has passed legislation requiring the State Board of Education to recommend whether Virginia should withdraw from the federal school accountability program. The board could recommend withdrawal from the No Child Left Behind Act if federal education officials refuse to give the state the flexibility it wants. Some legislators wanted to go ahead and direct the board to withdraw, but others who favored letting the board make its own decision prevailed in a conference committee.
Source: Associated Press

 

Wyoming
Business Fraud Bill Heads to Governor's Desk
A controversial bill to give the state tools to track down crooked businesses is on the way to the desk of Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D). The main thrust of the bill is to give the state access to information on limited liability companies and other business entities through their registered agents so they can be contacted in the event of fraud investigations. Secretary of State Max Maxfield says Wyoming's lax registration laws have made the state a magnet for fraud.
Source: Casper Star-Tribune