New York is crazy

Robert_in_NY · Jan 14, 2004

A while ago I posted a post looking for insurance for myself because as I work with my father in our construction business it is too expensive for him to get insurance for his workers. I have no problem with this as I get to see the numbers and understand it all.

Now, two strong lobbying groups are trying to force a new law in New York State that will tax companies $3000 per employee if the company doesn't supply health insurance for them. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

How many small companies can afford to pay that much and stay in business? It would cost my father $9000 just for myself and the other two workers (who happen to be my sister and grandfather) and then when we bring in more help during the spring thru fall we will get hit again. All this will do is force us to raise prices to cover this tax. Same with a lot of other business. How many small business will be out of business as a result of this if it is passed. Almost all the mom and pop stores will be gone and what about the gas stations and gas prices. How many employees does a small gas station/convience store have? What will NY residents have to do to afford to live in this state in a few years.

Proposal Would Tax Businesses That Do Not Insure Workers

fivestring · Jan 14, 2004

Robert, you now see why, as of now, employers are not required to supply health insurance.
There are still a few folks in Washington that see laws like that as penalizing small companies.
Small companies are the backbone of this country. (Until they get bought out by the larger ones and WalMart)
It's a shame the brainwashing media doesn't air that information to the masses.

YanmarFever · Jan 14, 2004

Robert,
Become an LLC.( limited liability company) Each menber owns a little of the firm.
Then you are not employes, you are members of the LLC.
and you can get around it
This is personal advise,Im not a snake, (I mean lawyer)
check it out with a legal pro.

Muhammad · Jan 14, 2004

That is crazy! I assume this is for full-time workers only? For part-timers, the costs of health insurance can (and often do) exceed their wages.

JDgreen227 · Jan 14, 2004

The article has a quote by the president of the hospital association, as follows: "It is the boldest initiative we have ever taken".

"Boldest" is certainly not the proper term to describe this inane scheme to penalize small business owners. While I agree with having health insurance for employees, it should not be at the expense of the small family run companies or Mom and Pop operations. If I were a NY resident, I would be very upset about this proposal.

Harv · Jan 14, 2004

We happened to talk to a business accountant today, so we asked him about this issue. Apparently in our area (California), employers are required to provide health insurance, but only if they have more than 10 employees, thus protecting the Mom 'N' Pop shops. Of course, now that the Terminator is running our state, who knows... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I notice that the New York proposal does say it would impose ( a smaller levy for small businesses that pay low wages ), but even so, it would be a blow to the small business owners. Let's hope this one dies on the vine. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

thcri · Jan 14, 2004

Harv,

Minnesota is somewhat like that. Over ten employees you have to provide a program. Yes we provide a program but we don't have to pay for it. In other words we only have to have a health insurance program in place where my employees can buy it from me. Now we don't mark it up at all and we do pay for the individual employee only. If he wants to put the rest of his family on it he can but at his expense. Now if the employee elects to get his insurance elsewhere we give them $60.00 per pay period in cash to do what he wants.

As far as New York, go ahead and do it. It will be just another one of them government prgrams that people think will create jobs at someone else's expense and the next thing they know the small business are gone.

I could go on but my temperature is rising beyond what it should already.

murph

Currmudgeon · Jan 14, 2004

( two strong lobbying groups are trying to force a new law in New York State that will tax companies $3000 per employee if the company doesn't supply health insurance for them. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif )

All other things being equal, that means employees take a $3,000 wage cut or the consumer pays for it in higher prices.

No company has ever paid for anything, and none ever will.

Egon · Jan 14, 2004

Cheer up Harv. Next thing you know it will be mandated that all Kubota B7500's be required to have a vulcan mounted upon them.

Egon

frank_f15 · Jan 14, 2004

Robert: although i am for health coverage, that law seems way out of wack. my wife works for a small retail store, just the owner , 2 part time and 1 full time employees(wife is part time) and there is no way he could afford that, nor would i expect him to, he is more than fair in wages, opened up annuties for them(he makes the contributions) gives them bonuses and treats them like gold .as u know i don't live to far from u, and i also wonder where the lawmakers in NY have their heads /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif seems like they are intent on driving businnes out. hope this isnot considered political /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif