Maine
Committee Debates Paid Sick Leave Bill
Groups representing nurses, teachers, social workers, senior citizens and the poor told a legislative committee that it's time for all businesses with 25 or more employees to offer paid sick days. Rep. Jackie Norton, (D-Bangor), is sponsoring a bill that would require an estimated 8% of businesses in Maine to provide the benefit to all full-time and part-time employees. As written, the bill would allow workers to earn sick days at the rate of one hour per 30 hours worked. For a full-time, year-round employee, that equals nearly nine sick days per year.
Source: The Portland Press Herald

Maryland
Senate Passes Bill Banning Hydraulic Clam Dredging
The Maryland Senate enacted legislation that will ban hydraulic clam dredging in the state's Atlantic coastal bays. Both supporters and opponents of the legislation agree that it will effectively end the practice of commercial clamming in Maryland. According to a legislative analysis of the bill, 22 commercial licenses were issued that allow hydraulic dredging. Between 2000 and 2006, $353,000 worth of clams was harvested. Opponents of hydraulic dredging claim it harms the environment, disturbs fishing areas and makes too much noise. State experts deny there is a negative environmental impact.
Source: Capitol News Service

Kentucky
Candidates Target Business Tax
Two candidates for governor—a Democrat and a Republican—said last week that they would work to eliminate a controversial tax on business if elected. State Treasurer Jonathan Miller, a Democrat, and former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup, a Republican, said at separate press conferences that they favor repealing the alternative minimum tax. The tax, which is applied to businesses regardless of whether they make a profit, was part of Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher's 2005 tax modernization plan.
Source: The Courier-Journal

Tennessee
Senate Passes Regulatory Relief Bill
A bill to provide relief for small business in Tennessee unanimously passed the Senate last week. Known as the "Regulatory Flexibility Act of 2007," the bill would require each agency and department to review "whether a proposed rule or regulation affects small business." The bill would also require each agency and department to submit an economic impact statement before adopting any proposed regulation. The bill still needs to be passed by the state House of Representatives and signed by the Governor before becoming law.
Source: The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia

Illinois
Employers Adapt to Rising Minimum Wage
A summer jump in the state's minimum wage is putting the squeeze on employers who rely on seasonal, often teenage, help. Even though the wage floor will rise $1 an hour in July, many employers who hire younger workers are not scaling back their hiring. But they are making adjustments in other areas, such as prices or hours of operation, to meet the payroll demand.
Source: The Rockford Register Star

Oklahoma
Immigration Bill Moves to Senate
Oklahoma's first comprehensive immigration law is going to the full Senate after legislators agreed to some business-friendly changes in a two-hour negotiating session last week. The latest version lets employers choose among several programs to verify employability of new hires instead of insisting on one federal government program that many consider flawed. Private employers don't have to verify employability until July 1, 2008. The measure has already passed the House.
Source: The Oklahoman

Idaho
Construction Jobs Increase
Nearly 2,000 construction jobs became available in Idaho in March, according to the latest numbers by the Idaho Commerce and Labor agency. The agency also says that the state added 7,200 nonfarm jobs during the month. According to the report, the state's jobless rate remained unchanged at 2.8%. Bob Fick, Commerce and Labor spokesman, says the low unemployment rate in Idaho means everybody in Idaho who wants a job has one.
Source: Associated Press

Nevada
Business Tax Break at Risk as Budget Falls Short
The state's financial picture may be worse than painted by Gov. Jim Gibbons (R), putting his proposal to give tax breaks to business and banks in jeopardy. New fiscal projections show that over the next two years Nevada will be $136.6 million short of original budget estimates. Gibbons has proposed a 0.3% reduction of the tax rate on general business, which would cut state revenue by $28 million. He also has recommended scrapping the excise tax on bank branches, saving the industry money—but costing the state $6 million.
Source: The Las Vegas Sun