http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/smallbusin_6960.mp3
In his weekly conference call with reporters, Senator Kit Bond discussed the current unemployment situation facing Americans, citing that 9.5% of the country’s citizens are still out of work. KSMU’s Justin Lux has the story.
After spending the past week talking to small business owners within the state, Bond says many of the owners are weary of hiring new employees.
“Many of these small business folks pointed out that one of their biggest impediments to hiring more workers or expanding is uncertainty. Uncertainty in how much pain the health care takeover will inflict on their businesses. Uncertainty on how the financial regulation overreach will make doing business harder. Uncertainty over whether Democrats will impose a national energy tax which will make everything more expensive,” Bond says.
While Bond voiced his concerns over the new health care initiative, a federal government website, HealthCare.gov, points out that small business owners can begin to apply for several benefits under the new health care legislation.
Businesses that have up to 25 employees, pay average annual wages below $50,000, and provide health insurance may qualify for a small business tax credit this year of up to 35%, which would offset the cost of insurance. By 2014, that tax credit would reach 50% for all qualifying businesses, making the cost of providing insurance even lower.
For links to more information about how the new federal health care law will affect small businesses, you can visit our website.
For KSMU News, I’m Justin Lux.
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