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| Editor's Note: In last week's edition parts of this article were printed. This is the complete copy of this article. By Erin O'Connor Staff Writer WESTFIELD - On October 24, Bill Vernon, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses spoke at the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Business Symposium on "Charting Westfield's Economic Future". Among those attending were Senator Michael Knapik and Mayor Richard Sullivan. "Small businesses are so important to our country and economy," Vernon said. "It takes a unique person to take that risk," he added. "Small business is the backbone of Westfield's economy," Mayor Richard Sullivan said. Sullivan followed this with a comment that $100,000 worth of parts in every plane that runs are manufactured in Westfield. Westfield is made up of airplane part manufacturers such as Tell Tool, that was founded in Westfield in 1967. Sullivan said a focus on manufacturing is necessary and will provide a minimum of 35-40 jobs per manufacturer. Vernon said that in Massachusetts one million out of 3.2 million employees work with less than 50 employees and over half of the 3.2 million employees work with less than 100 employees. "Small business faces a very high cost. We have not had recovery from the last recession and Massachusetts has failed to replace the jobs lost in 2002," Vernon said. Vernon voiced opposition to raising the state minimum wage and of the current unemployment benefits policy. "Those in favor of raising the minimum wage are those that will complain about no summer jobs for young people. Massachusetts is the only state in the country that provides 30 weeks of benefits for unemployment while the remaining states provide 26 weeks." "What will raising the minimum wage do to programs like the YMCA or Camp Shepard," Knapik asked with no response given. Health Insurance and Business "By July 1 of next year everyone in Massachusetts is required to have health insurance. Everyone must have insurance. I am of the opinion that this may work in Massachusetts, I am hopeful but it remains to be seen and not from the Legislature but from the regularity of its use," Vernon said. Vernon said that medical insurance rates are increasing from 13% to 14 % next year. "If that continues then Romney's plan will not work," Vernon said. "Young invincibles, are young males who would rather buy a six pack of beer than waste money on health insurance. We want them in the system because they won't use as much money as they put in," Vernon said. Vernon voiced opinion on altering the current state of Family Leave offered by private employers. "Instead of being funded through insurance, an alteration could occur in which it could be funded through a tax. Small businesses deal with it [family leave] everyday on a case by case basis. It could become a universal program throughout Massachusetts," Vernon said, adding that paid leave had an effect on production. Attention of Governmental Bodies "Small business is a little bit like herding cats and when we work together we can be a political powerhouse," Vernon said. Vernon said that non-profits have an increasing impact on the state Legislature and hospitals had a great influence on new health care laws. Please see FORUM on page 14 |