Posts Tagged ‘Small Business’

RICHMOND- On Tuesday Delegate Tony Wilt introduced legislation to allow for a health plan option that could provide more affordable access to healthcare for many small businesses and their employees.

Delegate Wilt patroned similar legislation in 2019 and Democratic legislators took the lead in the two previous years. While the policy has enjoyed broad bipartisan support in the legislature, Governor Northam had rejected the plan. With a new Governor come Saturday, Delegate Wilt is hoping to get the bill across the finish line this year.

“This bill opens up an opportunity for coverage for many who currently have no option under the crushing premium increases we have seen in recent years,” said Wilt. “Small businesses want to provide robust benefits and take care of their employees, but with the inflationary pressures we are experiencing this continues to be a challenge,” said Wilt. “In the most recent campaign I committed to pursue this solution again if reelected, and today I’m making good on that promise!”

“Small businesses continue to struggle to find affordable health coverage options for their employees. This legislation will provide Virginia’s small businesses with an additional option for quality, more affordable health coverage through a shared risk pool with other small businesses,” said Virginia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Barry DuVal. “The Virginia Chamber applauds this innovative, bipartisan effort and thanks both Del. Wilt and Sen. Mason for carrying their companion bills that will improve access to quality health coverage for small business workers.”

The legislation expands the opportunity for small businesses to join under a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA). A MEWA is a self-funded benefits consortium of small employers that pool together to offer their employees comprehensive, affordable group health care coverage on terms similar to those available to large employers. The bill includes a number of safeguards to ensure minimum coverage requirements and solvency of the plans.

Delegate Wilt represents the 26th House District, which encompasses Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. He was first elected to the House of Delegates in June of 2010.

HARRISONBURG (August 23, 2021)– The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Virginia’s leading small business advocacy organization, presented its coveted Guardian of Small Business Award to Virginia Delegate Tony Wilt Monday morning at Happy Hounds Doggie Daycare, an NFIB member and small business owner, at 300 Waterman Drive in Harrisonburg.

The Guardian of Small Business award is the most prestigious honor that NFIB bestows on legislators in recognition of their efforts to support small business. The NFIB Virginia Leadership Council, an advisory board comprised of NFIB members, voted to present the award to Delegate Wilt for his outstanding leadership on small business issues.

“I am proud to present Delegate Wilt with this prestigious small business award,” said NFIB’s State Director in Virginia, Nicole Riley. “Delegate Wilt not only has an exceptional voting record with NFIB but has demonstrated leadership on small business issues. He deserves this award thanks to his promise to keep taxes low and promote a stable and economically safe environment for our small business entrepreneurs and job creators here in Virginia.”

“I’m honored by this recognition from Virginia’s leading voice on small business issues, NFIB,” stated Wilt. “The fallout from the pandemic combined with the burdensome policy changes adopted by the majority in Richmond the last two years have made it extremely difficult for many small businesses and entrepreneurs. I will continue to push for a reasonable tax and regulatory environment that allows our small businesses the best opportunity to grow and create jobs.”

About NFIB
For more than 75 years, NFIB has been the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today.