Model Marketplace Notice for employers that offer a health plan.

Model Marketplace Notice for employers that do not offer a health plan

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey discussed a number of issues which he feels is hindering economic recovery in the United States at a Town Hall meeting held Monday in Danville. During the one-hour event held at the Pine Barn Inn, the Senator outlined his two main areas of concern, excessive government spending, and federal regulation that has “run amok”. Members of the Governmental Affairs Committee were among the approximately 40 people in attendance.

Toomey feels that the Federal government should not only abide by the spending caps previously passed, but work to decrease spending overall, as annual debt service currently exceeds economic output. A compounding frustration for the Senator is that discussions about tax code reform are met with suggestions of tax increases by leading Democrats in Washington. He feels that the President “pulled the rug out” from the possibility of business tax reductions with recent comments about offsetting revenue losses with other tax increases.

Increasing Federal regulations and mandates are a burden to business and hindering growth, according to Toomey. New banking regulations passed in 2010 following the financial crisis have resulted in financial institutions spending significantly more resources on compliance issues. EPA regulations are causing coal-fired power plants to be shuttered and ethanol policy is increasing the cost of fuel and corn-based products, with no environment benefits, he says. Toomey says that he plans to offer at least several amendments to the energy bill when it is taken up by the Senate in several weeks. While he would prefer to see full repeal of the measure, there does not appear to be sufficient support to do so.

The most pressing government mandate impacting businesses is the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare”. Senator Toomey pointed out that businesses are already cutting back on the number of employees by those close to the 50 FTE threshold, and hours of part-time employees are being limited to under 30 per week to avoid the requirement that health insurance be provided. The employer penalty for businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees has been delayed until 2014, and Senator Toomey he would vote to block funding for further implementation of the Act. The Chamber has scheduled a seminar with our benefits partner, ChamberChoice, to help members understand upcoming requirements of the Affordable Care Act. The seminar will be held on September 10th at the Pine Barn Inn in Danville. Click here for more information and to register.

CCN News 8 in Danville covered the Town Hall meeting and has video on their website.  Members also have the opportunity to discuss these and other issues with Congressman Lou Barletta at a breakfast meeting next Friday, September 6th, at The Links at Hemlock Creek. Click here to register for that event.

The Columbia Montour Chamber is now offering gift certificates for the public & members to purchase. The program is designed to promote Chamber member businesses and encourage people to patronize them.

The Chamber Gift Certificate is a legal check, purchased by the “gift giver”. Gift certificates may be ordered from the Chamber office and make great gifts for family, friends and employees. There is no additional cost above the face value dollar amount of the certificates.

Aerotek is a leader in the recruiting and staffing industry. Their Williamsport location covers both Montour and Columbia Counties. With nearly three decades in the recruiting and staffing industry, they have developed the knowledge and skills to deliver a perfect fit between a candidate and an employer.

Aerotek was founded in 1983 to service the recruiting and staffing needs for the aerospace and defense industry. Due to Aerotek’s rapid growth and success, they’ve continued to expand their services to provide recruiting and staffing to many industries focusing on technical, professional and industrial staffing.
Their mission is to bring great people and great organizations together. This is the foundation that has made Aerotek who they are today.

For more information you can visit Aerotek’s Website.

Your business could be featured as next month’s Business Spotlight. Simply attend Chamber events and submit your business card at registration. At the end of the month we randomly select a lucky business to be spotlighted.

The Route 11 flood closure project detour began Tuesday, July 23. It is planned to continue through November.

During the detour, vehicles traveling on Route 11 north and intending to turn left onto Route 54 west will be unable to do so immediately.  Instead, they will be directed to travel straight until reaching Mill Street.  At that point, they will turn left, reaching Route 54 west via Mill Street and Spruce Street. This should help ensure against traffic backups by vehicles attempting to turn left at the actual site of construction itself.

During this time, the road over Mahoning Creek at the site of construction will be down to two lanes, with one lane of traffic for each direction.  The two lanes open will change as construction progresses, but there will not be less than two available at any given time.

All temporary signals have been installed and all other necessary traffic control work has been completed in preparation of the detour/lane restrictions

The need has arisen for United Water technicians to replace valves on the water main serving portions of Main Street in downtown Bloomsburg.  Valves control the flow of water through the mains and periodically need to be replaced, sometimes on short notice.

This work will be performed during early morning hours on July 23 and July 25 to minimize inconvenience to businesses and residences whose water service will be impacted by the project.  Affected customers are being notified by means of written notice delivered to their location.

The first valve replacement project will occur between 3:00 and 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23 affecting water service to United Water customers on Main Street from Town Hall north along Light Street Road to just below Penn Street.  The second valve replacement project will occur during these same hours on Thursday, July 25 affecting water service to customers primarily on Main Street between Iron and Market Streets in the downtown.  However, some customers on Main Street in the vicinity of Town Hall could also experience sporadic water service outages during these hours on July 25.

United Water Crew members will continue working at street level on both dates to facilitate resurfacing through 12:00 p.m.  Flaggers will be deployed to assist with traffic control during the time that the work is performed.

United Water thanks affected customers for their patience and cooperation in view of the need for these necessary improvements to assure proper water flow.

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

The 2013-14 General Fund budget signed on June 30th and accompanying Tax Code bill contain many positive provisions for Pennsylvania job creators and residents, but at the same time reflect the consequences of the $47 billion and growing public pension debt.

The new state budget raises the cap on the amount of revenue losses businesses can claim for tax purposes. The $3 million NOL cap increases to $4 million in 2014 and $5 million in 2015.

In addition, the inheritance tax on small family-owned businesses has been eliminated; and the Corporate Loans Tax is slated for repeal in 2014.

However, the budget also contains strengthened expense add-back provisions and slows down, for the fourth time, the elimination of the Capital Stock and Franchise tax; a plan to begin reducing the 9.99 percent Corporate Net Income tax was also not included.

The CSFT was scheduled for elimination on Jan. 1, 2014. The decision to put that elimination on hold came into play when it was determined that more revenue would be needed to fulfill the state’s public pension obligations. The CSFT will now remain on the books through 2016, although the rate will be gradually lowered for each of the next two years. The current 0.89 percent tax rate will decline to 0.67 percent in 2014 and 0.45 percent in 2015. It is expected to generate $58 million next fiscal year, $183 million in 2014-15 and $99 million in 2015-16, according to estimates from the House Appropriations Committee.

The Eye Center of Central Pennsylvania is celebrating their Bloomsburg location with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 17th at 4:30 p.m. Join the Chamber and the Eye Center for an evening of networking. Refreshments and light fare provided by O’Donnell Winery and Balzano’s.

The Eye Center of Central PA’s mission is to enhance quality of life by improving sight, preventing blindness and advancing ophthalmic knowledge through compassionate patient care and superior customer satisfaction. They are committed to confidentiality, respect, and high-quality care for all patients.

If you are interested in attending this ribbon cutting and networking event please RSVP with The Eye Center of Central PA at (570) 259-3078 or spurdy@eyecenterofpa.com by Monday, July 15th.

Celebrate Berwick, held this last weekend was a great success with over 30 businesses and 50 vendors participating. Despite the dreary weather the community came out to support this event and we received a great deal of positive feedback.

The Chamber recognized a need to rejuvenate the Berwick area with the help of the Berwick Task Force. After a long stretch of construction hurting many businesses Celebrate Berwick encouraged people to come back to the Berwick area and stimulate the economy.

This event would not be possible without the help of the volunteers that came to the planning meetings, contacted businesses for their support, and assisted the day of the event. A huge thank you as well to all the businesses and vendors that were involved in creating activities along Front Street! Some the businesses that donated their services for this event include Knorr Hauling, AJ limo Coach and Bodnar Sales and Services. Also an immense amount of gratitude for all of the sponsors who supported this event. Without the help of the local businesses and volunteers this event would not have been possible.

Gold Sponsors

• Berwick Hospital Center
• Berwick Industrial Development Association
• Central Susquehanna Community Foundation
• First Keystone Community Bank
• Geisinger
• Jack Williams Tire and Auto Service Center
• Wise Snacks

Silver Level Sponsors

• A&A Auto Store
• First Columbia Bank and Trust

Bronze Level Sponsors

• Berwick Dental Arts
• Berwick Offray
•  Dermatology Centers of NEPA
• MetroCast Communications
• Stuccio’s Pizzeria
• Walker’s Jewelers

Pictures from this event can be found on the Chamber’s Facebook Page.

Insurance Marketplaces to open for enrollment this fall.

This summer, all employers, regardless of size, will have to inform their employees about the Federal Marketplace for purchasing health insurance. Depending upon the size of the business, employers may have to offer coverage to eligible employees or pay a penalty. Most employees not covered by an employer-sponsored plan will have to purchase their own insurance through a marketplace, formerly known as exchanges, or pay a penalty as well.

The implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on businesses were outlined by Christopher Fanning, Vice President of Commercial Sales with Geisinger Health Plan, at a Chamber-sponosred seminar held Tuesday morning at the Danville Elks.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling last June which upheld the Affordable Care Act. Employers with at least 50 FTEs on an average annual basis will have to offer insurance or pay a penalty. Full-time employees are defined as those working 30 or more hours each calendar month. In order to determine the number of full-time equivalents, an employer should total the number of non-full time employee hours per month and divide that number by 120. Add up the total number of full time employees each month for the calendar year and the total number of full time equivalents each month for the calendar year and divide by 12.

Mr. Fanning’s presentation, which includes the formula for determining the size of your group, is available here.

Employers will be able to offer coverage through a traditional insurance broker relationship or through the Federal or private marketplaces. The Federal Marketplace will open in September for viewing and open enrollment will begin in October for a 1/1/14 effective date. Every employer will be required to provide information about the Federal marketplace to employees once the government finalizes model language for the notification, which is expected in late July or August.

Employers that meet the 50 FTE threshold but do not pay for employee coverage will pay a $2,000 penalty annually for the number of full-time employees minus the first thirty. The employer must provide at least 60% coverage and not require the employee to contribute more than 9-1/2% of their annual wages for coverage.

Small groups  (2-50) will be able to able to access a Small Business Health Options Program as part of the Marketplace. In 2016, the SHOP will be expanded to businesses with up to 100 FTEs. Small group employers will be able to apply for tax credits of up to 50% of the price of the premiums.

Most individuals not covered by employers will be required to have coverage through a private or the Federal Marketplace. The penalty for not purchasing insurance will be 1% of annual wages or $95 annually, whichever is greater. Individuals will be eligible for a subsidy on a sliding scale if their annual wages are up to 400% of the poverty level.

Private health insurance providers have just submitted plans and rates to the Federal government for review. Qualified health plans must include essential health benefits. Coverage will be gauranteed issue with pre-existing conditions covered. Premium adjustments for medical conditions are not allowed but there will also not be credits for younger, healthier individuals. Rates can be adjusted based on geographic region within the state, family size and regular tobacco use. Providers such as GHP will be able to discuss rates for these plans once approved in the next couple of months.

Fanning noted that for businesses that currently provide insurance, the changes take effect upon your next renewal date in 2014. Businesses with a renewal early in the year are considering renewals in late 2013 and should contact their broker to discuss the pros and cons. With more details becoming available and deadlines for implementation approaching, the Chamber will continue working with Geisinger Health Plan to provide relevant information on Health Care Reform to members of all sizes throughout this year.