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Opelika Chamber of Commerce Board Endorses Tax Breaks for Health Care Insurance
Opelika, AL - (March 27, 2007) - The Opelika Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously at its meeting Wednesday, March 21, 2007 to endorse Governor Bob Riley’s proposed tax breaks for small businesses offering health care insurance plans for their employees. According to Riley’s plan, employers would be allowed to deduct twice the amount they pay for health insurance premiums from their state taxes, while their employees would be allowed to deduct twice the amount they contribute toward the insurance as well.
Known as HB 278, the bill, sponsored by 74th District Representative Jay Love (R), is currently in the Education Appropriations Committee. It is part of a larger package of proposed tax cuts outlined by Gov. Riley in his State of the State speech at the beginning of the 2007 legislative session.
“The availability of affordable health care insurance is one of the premier issues facing chamber businesses who are small business owners,” said Wendi Routhier, president of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. “Although the Opelika Chamber Board of Directors understands there will be considerable opposition to Gov. Riley’s proposal in Montgomery, we hope this vote will reinforce the need for our state legislators to continue working together to create a viable alternative.”
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