Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 17, 1994 TAG: 9403170177
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LON WAGNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The national chamber carefully considered Clinton's proposal, Marcil said during a stop in Roanoke, because a health-care plan that unburdened businesses from the increasing cost of employee health insurance would be welcomed.
But the chamber's members remain opposed to any plan that would mandate health coverage on businesses.
``The concerns of our members are based upon extensive experience with government programs,'' Marcil said in a speech prepared for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. ``If you think health care is expensive now, just wait until it's free,'' he said, quoting U.S. Chamber President Dick Lesher.
Marcil is on a speaking tour that puts him on the road one week a month. As the chief executive officer of Forum Communications Co. in Fargo, N.D., and publisher of a 55,000-circulation daily newspaper there, Marcil intends to emphasize the plight of small businesses during his year in office.
Ninety-six percent of the national chamber's businesses have fewer than 100 employees, he said, and 70 percent have fewer than 10 employees.
Most communities can't hope to land a BMW or Mercedes-Benz auto manufacturing plant, Marcil said, but they can try to help their small businesses expand - and recruit others.
``Chances are, when a small business expands, that expansion is going to stick,'' he said. ``We're going to try to encourage the Congress to reduce restrictions on small businesses.''
Fortune 500 companies and small businesses have to deal with added federal regulations, Marcil said, but the big companies have more staff and resources to contend with the mandates.
The national chamber also is lobbying Congress to vote down a striker replacement bill. As the law stands, businesses can permanently replace workers striking for better pay and benefits. Labor unions want a law forbidding employers from replacing workers - even those striking for higher wages.
``The result would be open season on every business in America,'' Marcil said. ``Workers could strike with impunity, knowing their jobs are secure. Employers would either knuckle under or go out of business.''
by CNB