Connecticut
Lawmakers Vote to Link State Business Aid to Retirement Benefits
The Legislature's labor committee voted last week to eliminate state financial assistance for businesses that reduce their employees' retirement benefits. The legislation would require companies that reduce or eliminate benefits to retirees to repay the full amount of any state assistance received, including tax breaks, and pay an additional penalty of 5% of that amount.
Source: The American-Republic

New Jersey
Governor to Let Small Business Tax Expire
Gov. John Corzine plans to let a tax on 107,000 New Jersey corporations expire this year, a move welcomed by businesses that have argued the levy is unfair. New Jersey's tax on S corporations—a business type often favored by small-business owners—is to expire on June 30. A Treasury Department spokesman said the administration has no plans to try to extend it.
Source: Associated Press

Florida
State Reports Only Slight Increase in 2006 Tourism
Despite an end-of-year uptick, Florida is reporting flat tourism numbers for 2006. The 84.6 million tourists visiting the state last year represented an anemic 1.2% increase over 2005, according to Visit Florida, the state's tourism arm. Donna Ross, chairwoman of Visit Florida's board of directors and CEO of the Florida Attractions Association, attributed the low increase to a lack of government marketing funds.
Source: The Palm Beach Post

Kentucky
Inmate Leasing Bill Faces Hurdle in the House
A bill that would allow state prisons to lease inmates to work for businesses making anything from doorknobs to circuit boards breezed through the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. But the bill faces an uncertain future in the House, where it is likely to face opposition from the Democratic majority and organized labor. Some unions fear the program could take away jobs from other workers or drive down wages.
Source: The Lexington Herald-Leader

South Dakota
Business Calls for Teacher Raises
Business and industry leaders asked lawmakers to increase state financial aid to school districts, because South Dakota's teachers need a pay raise. Business representatives argue that companies will not locate in an area without good education, and urged lawmakers to pass SB157, which would give school districts an extra $10 million a year in state funds to help increase teachers' salaries.
Source: Associated Press

Texas
Coalition Formed to Fight State Immigration Bills
A coalition of political, business, and civil rights leaders have vowed to play a significant role in shifting the immigration debate away from the Texas Capitol to the federal government. State Rep. Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) said the group, which includes the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and the Texas Association of Business, was troubled by what it called an onslaught of bills targeting illegal immigration filed in the state Legislature.
Source: The Austin American-Statesman

Utah
Bill on Small Business Health Insurance Stalls
A House committee voted against funding and creating a task force that would look for ways to make health insurance for small businesses more affordable. The bill had the backing of several chambers of commerce. Rep. Jackie Biskupski (D-Salt Lake), who offered the motion that prevented the bill from moving forward, said she thought the governor's Office of Economic Development would be able to study the issue in a more cost-effective manner.
Source: The Deseret News

Washington
Lawmakers Consider Union-Backed Bill
Labor unions are targeting large businesses that have workers on government health care programs, arguing they are not meeting their obligations and dumping off expenses on taxpayers. Labor-backed legislation would essentially bill businesses with more than 1,000 workers for having employees on Medicaid or the state's Basic Health program, with some exceptions. Businesses claim the law is unfair and will not be adopted by the Legislature.
Source: The Olympian