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In Your Backyard - April 1, 2008Arizona
Bill Seeks to Clarify Employer-Sanctions Immigration Law State and local agencies could be barred from issuing business licenses and permits to individuals who cannot prove they are in this country legally. The new requirement was added last week to legislation designed to clarify Arizona's new employer-sanctions law. The bill adds new protections from prosecution for companies that follow special procedures to check the legal status of new and existing workers. Source: The Arizona Daily Star Hawaii
Small Businesses Face 13% Hike in Health Insurance Costs Health insurance premiums will jump by 13% for thousands of Hawaii small businesses under a proposed rate hike by the Hawaii Medical Service Association. The requested increase is the largest by HMSA in 19 years and must be approved by state Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt before it can go into effect July 1. The state's biggest health insurer said the increase is needed to cover climbing doctor, hospital, emergency room, and other health care costs. Source: The Honolulu Advertiser New York Small Business Package Moves Forward The state Assembly has preliminarily passed 16 bills that would create new state business-focused departments, boost funds for existing state programs, and make no-interest loans available for energy projects. The Assembly's small business package, if passed into law, would require state economic development agencies to provide preferences to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the programs that they administer; and create a new fund to support the state's Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprise program, among other things. Source: The Business Review Ohio
Governor Reorganizes Workforce Programs Gov. Ted Strickland is realigning three major state agencies in order to improve the way it matches businesses with workers and job seekers with jobs. Strickland issued an executive order last week shuffling an array of state programs housed within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Department of Development, and the Ohio Board of Regents. The state Development Department will take the lead role awarding workforce development, job training, and business grants under the order--becoming the umbrella agency for federal Workforce Investment Act programs. Source: Associated Press Washington
City Tops Business List Bellevue, Washington tops the list as the best American city for starting a new business, according to CNNMoney.com. Titled the "100 Best Places to Live and Launch," the list was compiled by Fortune Small Business. It ranks cities based on quality of living and business advantages. CNNMoney.com describes Bellevue as "in transition," and points to a talented workforce and growing downtown as pros. Pricey housing and high cost of living are listed as downsides. Source: KING5.com |
  
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