California Individual And Group Health Insurance Plans

The Sacramento Bee - Mar. 24: It's still a bumpy ride for businesses in California. That's what small-business owners say in a recent survey by Small Business California, a nonpartisan statewide advocacy group. The survey sought the opinion of respondents on a number of issues, including health care, education, workers' compensation, government regulations and energy.About 91 percent of the 500 small-business owners surveyed said rising health care costs were a "top priority" or "high priority." Other top and high priority issues included workers' compensation (83 percent), California's infrastructure (73 percent) and too much regulation of small businesses (67 percent). The concerns mirrored what small businesses said in the survey last year, said Scott Hauge, president of Small Business California. But what was surprising was the result about the state's infrastructure. "Last year we didn't ask it," he said. "This is the first time we put it on the survey, and it came out No. 4." Ann Kelly Coomes, co-owner of MontiKo's Grill in Sacramento and owner of Kelly's By the Lake in Monterey, said both of her businesses are affected by heavy vehicle traffic. She also said that "there isn't a plan in place to protect" her businesses during a flood."We need the infrastructure support," she said. Mary Griffin, president of Sacramento-based Griffin & Associates, a health care lobbying firm, also said the state's infrastructure needs major improvement. Although California is getting some federal money for the levees, it's not enough, she said."Our entire transportation system, from the roads to the trains, is in terrible shape," said Griffin, who is also Western regional director for the National Association of Women Business Owners. "Every time we get something going, we've had some difficulties."Tom Martin, owner of People Management Professionals LLC in Riverside and a Small Business California board member, said he recently spent an hour driving over potholes on his way to a meeting. Business owners also complained about what they said was the lack of skilled workers available. "We need to get more vocational education," Martin said. Kids are not being prepared for the jobs they will likely face, he said.Overall, about 58 percent of small-business owners thought California was heading in the wrong direction. There was some good news, though: Nearly 50 percent of the respondents thought California's economy was good or excellent. But one of the problems many face is trying to get state or federal contracts.According to the survey, about 58 percent of the respondents considered state contracts a top or high priority. Martin said small-business owners also have concerns that the Legislature isn't interested in their issues. "Every time they turn around, there's a new law or new regulation that makes business virtually impossible," he said.