News on National Federation of Independent Business

Job openings drop as hiring remains elusive

2010-02-22T21:34:59Z

<div id="subtitle">Competition for jobs reaches record level as openings drop amid economic uncertainty</div><div><p>The competition for jobs is intensifying as companies are reluctant to hire new workers, leaving millions of unemployed Americans chasing fewer job openings.</p><p>There were nearly 6.4 unemployed workers, on average, for each available job at the end of November, according to Labor Department data...

Small firms scrapping, scaling back health plans

2010-02-24T03:58:56Z

<div><p>Faced with high health insurance costs, a North Carolina brokerage passed the buck on to its employees, a Texas public relations firm switched from group insurance to stipends, and a Missouri travel agency let its workers walk away instead paying for insurance.</p><p>Across the country...

Job openings remain close to record-lows

2010-02-24T07:12:38Z

<div id="subtitle">Job openings stuck near record-lows as companies hesitate to hire despite recovery</div><div><p>Job openings are at rock-bottom levels, according to government and private surveys released Tuesday, a trend that could keep the unemployment rate high even as layoffs slow.</p><p>Small businesses in particular are reluctant to add workers as they struggle to obtain credit. Many are pushing their cu...

Obama Outlines Administration's Plan To Help Small Businesses

2009-10-29T11:17:44Z

WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 29: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks to members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, and small business owners and organizations from across the country about how his admi...

High hopes: Small business is becoming optimistic

2010-02-25T09:49:17Z

<div id="subtitle">Like consumers, small businesses are starting to get upbeat about economy</div><div><p>Small business owners are joining consumers and investors in showing some cautious optimism about the economy.</p><p>An index that measures owners' optimism rose last month, boosted by expectations that business conditions will improve in the future. And there's anecdotal evidence from owners in a variety of ...

Health Care Industry Leaders Testify At House Hearing On Health Care Reform

2009-06-11T17:01:32Z

WASHINGTON - JUNE 11: Rob Williams (L), CEO of Aetna Inc. talks with Randel Johnson (C), vice president for labor, immigration and employee benefits at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and William Dennis, senior research fellow at the

Little direct help for small cos. in stimulus plan

2010-03-01T12:09:29Z

<div id="subtitle">Economists find little in government's stimulus plan that directly helps small businesses</div><div><p>The government's economic stimulus plan doesn't include many provisions that directly benefit small businesses, but economists say those companies are more likely to find a cure for their financial ills closer to home — with their own customers.</p><p>The plan does extend two provisions of 200...

Business group opposes regulation restricting truck traffic

2010-03-01T05:12:37Z

<div><p>Reacting to a survey of small-business owners, the New York chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is opposed to Gov. David Paterson's proposal to restrict the ability of trucks to travel off interstate highways...

Reliable and Steady

2010-03-01T12:34:06Z

<div><p>Everybody is talking about it, though many don't know yet what to say.</p><p>Dramatic business failures, panicky mergers, widespread government intervention and the stock market shocks of September and early October brought a mix of trepidation and measured exhilaration. Community bankers in the Midwest quickly and consistently pointed out that they did not make this mess. Next to none engaged in subprime lending and, awash in liqui...

Obama's Impact on Small Business

2010-03-01T23:02:34Z

<div><p> The election is finally over, and as the dust settles, it's time for some accounting. How will small businesses fare under an Obama administration? Smart Answers columnist Karen E. Klein asked three experts -- Bill Rys, tax counsel for advocacy group Jared Sandberg's <em>Wall Street Journal</em> column entitled "A Modern Conundrum: When Work's Invisible, So Are Its Satisfactions." Turning to researchers at U.C. Berkeley's National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is disappointed with Gov. David Paterson's Sept. 26 veto of a bill the group says would have helped struggling small-business owners obtain basic, affordable health care.</p><p>"The governor's veto isn't...