In Your Backyard

 

California
Costly Health Plan Nixed-The Senate Health Committee voted down Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) $15 billion plan requiring almost all Californians to hold private health insurance. The plan would have forced insurers to accept nearly all applicants and employers to contribute toward their workers' health benefits or pay into a state fund.
Source: Los Angeles Times

 

Iowa
Immigration Bill Aimed At Business-A bill being considered in the Legislature would make business executives criminally liable if their companies knowingly hire undocumented workers. Corporate officers would face a $10,000 fine and a year of jail time.
Source: The Des Moines Register

 

Kansas
Taxes Are Top Concern-For the first time in many years, taxes beat out health care costs as the main concern of business owners and executives, a Kansas Chamber survey reported. When asked what is most important to profitability, 46% said lower taxes; 41%, managing health care costs; and 21%, economic incentives.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

 

Kentucky
Tax Aid Considered-Small businesses are pushing for a new measure that would offer up to $25,000 in tax credits for creating at least one new job paying 50% more than the minimum wage and investing at least $5,000 in technology or equipment.
Source: The Courier-Journal

 

Louisiana
New Governor Pledges Tax Cuts-New Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) said that he will work to cut business taxes and rework the state's workforce training programs. A special session of the Legislature convened February 10.
Source: Associated Press