Chief among the topics brought

up by those in attendance was the need for health insurance reform. Many

employers indicated that the high cost of health insurance is the top

concern they face as business owners.

To help alleviate these concerns,

NFIB is supporting the Consumer Choice Health Insurance Plan Act, a measure

that allows health insurers to write policies that will meet the needs

of small-business owners, as well as allowing for income tax deductions

for individuals to offset the cost of health insurance they pay for themselves

and their dependents.

"Frankly, Georgia employers

are facing some major challenges as they try to grow and expand their

businesses,"said NFIB/Georgia State Director Melody Harrison.

"Topping that list is

the skyrocketing cost of health insurance. That's why opportunities

such as this for us to come together, pool our collective talents and

make our voices heard to our elected leaders is critical."

Main Street leaders also expressed

concern to lawmakers that Georgia's legal system is in need of reform.

To do this, NFIB will support measures that would establish a $250,000

cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases and require expert

witnesses to be licensed in the same profession as the defendant in such

cases.

"By what we've heard

today from the small-business community, it's clear that we've

got our work to do here in Atlanta to show them some tangible results

this session," said Harrison.

"We look forward to working

with lawmakers and the Perdue Administration to get meaningful legislation

enacted."

As a culmination of the daylong

event, NFIB hosted a luncheon to honor the group's former state director

Bert Fridlin. After 22 years of service to the small-business community,

Fridlin retired at the end of 2003. At the luncheon in his honor, Fridlin

received accolades from several key policymakers, including Governor Perdue

and leaders in the Georgia House and Senate. Over 200 people attended

the tribute to Fridlin, demonstrating the effect he had in over two decades

of service to Main Street.

"Bert's voice has

held unparalleled strength and conviction for small business over the

last several years and he will truly be missed," said Harrison.

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