Proposal McCain Obama NSBA Would repeal Bush’s tax cuts for top one- PERMANENCY FOR Would maintain current Bush tax cut percent and eliminate income taxes on Make Bush tax cuts permanent BUSH TAX CUTS rates seniors earning $50,000 per year or less ALTERNATIVE Permanent repeal without using off-sets detrimental Supports permanent repeal Calls for reform, but no specifi c plan MINIMUM TAX to small business Would establish a "Making Work Pay" refundable tax credit ($1,000 for families/$500 for individuals) to offset FAMILIES AND Would raise dependent exemption from payroll taxes. Would expand and enhance No stated position CHILDREN $3,500 to $7,000 the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit by making it refundable and increasing the credit rate to 50%. Would expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. FAIR TAX Does not Support Does not Support Supports Proposes a new 10% Universal Home Proposes giving every American family Mortgage Credit for taxpayers who do or homeowner the opportunity to trade a not itemize – this refundable credit, HOUSING burdensome mortgage for a manageable No stated position would provide the average recipient loan that refl ects their home's market with approximately $500 per year in tax value. savings Proposes a comprehensive, pro-market Would expand Low Income Savers Credit Supports health-related savings. In regards to health health care and Medicare reforms to -- 50% match for fi rst $1,000 saved for benefi ts/deductibility and Section 125 plans, all SAVINGS reduce health care costs and control families with up to $75,000 in income businesses ought to be treated equally regardless of increases in premiums (refundable) corporate form. Supports tax-free training accounts for Calls for a new, refundable American JOB TRAINING AND education and expanding the lender-of- Opportunity Tax Credit for the fi rst $4,000 Supports the Work Opportunity Tax Credit EDUCATION last resort capabilities for each state’s of college education expenses. guarantee agency. Would allow taxpayers to pay tax under a Would simplify tax fi lings so that most simple alternative tax with two tax rates, Americans can fi ll our their returns First, and most outspoken small-business group to OVERALL REFORM a broad tax base, and a large standard quickly -- moves toward a return-free tax endorse the Fair Tax deduction system for many taxpayers Proposes an exemption of $7.5 million with a tax Supports permanent and immediate Supports a $3.5 million exemption per rate set at 15 percent, tied to the capital gains tax ESTATE TAX reform with a $10 million exemption and spouse rate to ensure a more fair method of passing-down cutting the tax rate to a 15% rate a business. Calls for full expensing for investment Calls for full expensing for equipment investment, INVESTMENT & Would eliminate capital gains taxes for in equipment, and would permanently permanent expansion of Sec. 179 expensing, and the EXPENSING start-up businesses extend expansion of Sec. 179 expensing eventual elimination of the capital gains tax rate. RESEARCH AND Supports permanent tax credit equal to 10 Supports permanently extending the R&D Supports permanently extending the R&D Tax Credit DEVELOPMENT percent of wages spent on R&D tax credit Network providers would not be allowed Will ban all internet tax and will prohibit to charge fees to privilege the content Supports Internet tax moratorium, no position on INTERNET FEES new cellular telephone taxes. or applications of some web sites and network neutrality. Internet applications over others Proposal McCain Obama NSBA Extend production tax credit to increase renewable Proposes a system of tax credits that energy production, institute windfall profi ts tax on Calls for extended tax credits for renewable energy will remain in place until renewable RENEWABLE ENERGY oil selling above a threshold. Would create a federal production. Supports efforts to require producers energy has progressed to the point that TAX INCENTIVES Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that will require to increase the amount of energy they derive from it is competitive with conventional en- 25 percent of American electricity be derived from alternative sources. ergy sources. No specifi cs. renewable sources by 2025. Proposes to make greening the Fed- eral government a priority by apply- Supports energy effi ciency goal of reducing electricity ing higher effi ciency standards to new demand 15 percent from projected levels by 2020. Also Incremental but steady increases in the nation’s buildings leased or purchased, and by ENERGY EFFICIENCY proposes to increase fuel economy standards 4 percent Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) retrofi tting existing buildings to save per year while providing $4 billion for domestic standards. taxpayers money. Would enforce strict- automakers to produce these vehicles. er penalties on auto-manufacturers for not following CAFE standards.

Proposal McCain Obama NSBA Would require border-state Governors to certify border security. Would provide funding Supports additional personnel, infrastructure and technology for border enforcement training facilities, on the border and at our ports of entry. Believes US needs BORDER SECURITY staff, technologies, and border states' US No stated position additional Customs and Border Protection agents equipped Attorneys. Supports use of Unmanned with better technology and real-time intelligence. Aerial Vehicles and other aircraft. Calls for continuation of US-VISIT security program. Calls for reform that includes “good-faith Supports prosecuting "bad-actor" employers effort” language, leeway for inadvertent Would crack down on employers that hire undocumented EMPLOYEE through an electronic employment verifi cation errors, certain fl exibility in the allowable immigrants using a new employment eligibility verifi cation VERIFICATION system similar to how the E-verify system time frames, reasonability in fi nes, and system. works today. provisions to ensure an appropriate workforce is available. Supports new temporary worker programs to address labor needs in both high-tech and low skilled sectors, would reform caps for H1-B visas and increase green card caps as Supports increasing the number of legal immigrants to keep GUEST WORKERS No stated position necessary. Would design a program to allow families together and meet job demand for U.S. employers. willing and eligible US workers opportunities for employment fi rst and ensure guest workers return to their country or origin. Supports requiring undocumented individu- als to enroll in a program to resolve their status which would determine their legal Calls immigration raids ineffective, supports allowing CURRENT ILLEGAL good standing, require the individual to learn undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay No stated position IMMIGRANTS English, pay back taxes and fi nes, and pass a a fi ne, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the citizenship course. Those successfully com- opportunity to become citizens. pleting the program would then move to the back of the line for citizenship. Proposal McCain Obama NSBA Would require parents to insure their children. May INDIVIDUAL consider expanding SCHIP and Medicaid under a Opposes Supports MANDATE requirement that uninsured purchase coverage or participate in government programs. Most employers would be required to cover workers, EMPLOYER Opposes make a "meaningful" contribution to coverage, or Opposes MANDATE contribute to a public health plan.. Individuals could get a refundable Allow tax deductibility up to the cost of the required $1,500 tax credit ($5,000 for families) Small businesses making a meaningful contribution package. Additional coverage would be purchased HEALTH INSURANCE as an incentive to buy health insurance. would receive a refundable tax credit valued at as much using after-tax dollars, and they payer receives the TAX CREDITS If a policy cost less than the tax as 50% of health insurance premiums for employees. benefi ts, regardless of whether purchased through credit, the consumer could deposit the the employer or individual. remainder in a health savings account PURCHASE/PRICE OF Individuals could purchase across state Would establish national health insurance exchange Done at individual level under federally-established INSURANCE lines. under guarantee issue policy for insurers rating rules based on modifi ed community rating No specifi c benefi t package outlined, Create a basic benefi t package that includes truly The plans benefi ts would be similar to those of federal BENEFITS but does call for policies that meet necessary benefi ts and recognizes the need for employees. rigorous standards and certifi cation. higher deductibles for those able to afford them. CATASTROPHIC Would help states develop "guaranteed Employers would be reimbursed for some catastrophic No policy needed with all individuals in the overall COSTS/ access plans" to aid individuals in poor healthcare costs, but would have to use the money to pool REINSURANCE health or with preexisting conditions reduce workers' premiums. Supports pay-for-performance and Supports electronic records and procedures Supports increased pay for top-quality care. Would would create national standards for including digital prescription writing, individual require medical providers to collect data on costs, QUALITY, electronic health systems. Would electronic medical records, and universal physician quality, preventable errors, nurse-to-patient ratios, and TRANSPARENCY AND require medical providers to make IDs. Calls for pay-for-performance based on hospital acquired infections. Would invest $50 billion IT information about outcomes, quality, outcomes and standards, rather than procedures; toward adoption of electronic medical records and and costs readily available to the as well as greater cost and quality transparency for other Health IT. public. consumers to make informed choices. Supports expanding FMLA to cover businesses with 25 or more employees (currently covers 50 or more). NSBA urges Congress to oppose any move that No posted position, but voted to pass Would add elder care, 24 hours per year for participation would hinder an entrepreneur’s ability to create FMLA EXPANSION the original law back in 1993. in children's school activities, and domestic violence jobs, such as mandatory sick time and reducing the issues to eligible FMLA leave. Would set-aside $1.5 employee threshold for FMLA compliance. billion for state programs for paid-leave systems.

MANDATED SICK NSBA opposes employer mandates to offer paid Opposes Supports mandating 7 paid sick days per year. LEAVE sick leave Proposal McCain Obama NSBA Supports trade policy that opens up foreign markets Supports breaking down barriers to U.S. to support American jobs, and spreads stricter labor exports. Would engage in multilateral, and environmental standards around the world. regional and bilateral efforts to reduce Opposes existing agreements like CAFTA that he Supports efforts to reduce barriers to U.S. exports, barriers to trade, level the global playing EXPORTING/ views as failing to live up to those benchmarks. Will improved export assistance by the U.S. government, fi eld and build effective enforcement of and better access to capital for small businesses in FOREIGN TRADE global trading rules. Favors overhaul work with the WTO to enforce trade agreements international trade. of worker retraining programs to equip and end unfair government subsidies to foreign workers for better jobs in the international exporters and non-tariff barriers on U.S. exports. economy. Supports renegotiating NAFTA. Would expand Trade Adjustment Assistance to service industries. Would create a credit card rating system to improve disclosure for consumers, and require credit card companies to display the rating on all application Supports reform that would prohibit: universal CREDIT CARD and contract materials. Supports a Credit Card Bill default, double-cycle billing, retroactive application No position stated of Rights that would ban unilateral changes, apply of interest rate hikes, interest charges on transaction REFORM interest rate increases only to future debt, prohibit fees, and late fees if the delay was caused by the credit interest on fees, prohibit universal defaults and card company. require prompt and fair crediting of cardholder payments Supports elimination of contractor fraud and the Has stated his goal to reform procurement transparency of accurate and reliable data on FEDERAL Will implement women-owned business contracting programs and cut wasteful spending in small-business contractors. Calls for an end to program PROCUREMENT defense and non-defense programs. contract bundling and the appropriate treatment of subcontractors. INDEPENDENT Supports an independent, fully-funded Offi ce of OFFICE OF No position stated No position stated Advocacy through the establishment of a budgetary ADVOCACY line-item. Supports expanded microloan program, calls for expanded lenders in SBA programs and a simplifi ed Supports improved start-up fi nancing opportunities, ACCESS TO loan approval process. Will invest $250 million a fully-funded 7(a) program, debt versus equity CAPITAL/SBA No position stated to increase the number and size of public/private fi nancing, and interest-bearing checking accounts for business incubators in disadvantaged communities. LENDING small businesses. Will also reach-out to rural and minority small businesses. Supports easing the small-business regulatory burden through cost-benefi t analyses of direct and indirect Proposes a review of every federal No position stated, but was a co-sponsor of S. 2291, costs of proposed regulations. Calls for improved REGULATORY program, department and agency, the the Plain Language in Government Communications small-business assistance, increased fl exibility and results of which will be publicly posted REFORM Act. exemptions, streamlined paperwork, and improved on-line. information collection. Supports plain-language legislation.