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| NEVADA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION |
CONTACT: |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: |
Communications Department |
| December 1, 2009 |
media@nvrestaurants.com |
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(702) 878-2313 ext. 1004 |
Health Care Reform Call to ACTION
The senate has started debates on its health care reform bill and numerous amendments from both the house and senate are expected. Floor action is likely to last through the end of December. Senate Democratic leaders are hoping for a Senate floor vote by the end of the year, and hope to pass a final bill before the State of the Union address in late January.
More than 1,700 letters have already been sent to the Senate from our industry. But it is critical that more restaurateurs voice their opinion. Both bills contain legislation that will add significant cost to running your restaurant. It is important to explain the consequences to your employees and encourage them to take action as well. Do it now; template letters are available at RestaurantHealthCareReformInfo.com. Even better, write your own letter and explain the negative impact on your business. Read NvRA Vice Chairman Jim Rees’s letter to Dina Titus.
Jim Rees writes:
November 19, 2009
Dear Congresswoman Titus,
First let me personally thank you for the kind personal letter congratulating me on my Restaurateur of the Year Award for 2009. It is an honor to be chosen for this prestigious award.
I am, however, very concerned about the future of our industry, especially in the face of the proposed Health Care legislation.
In your letter to me you stated that the "service industry is the backbone of Nevada's economy." I can assure you that, if you truly believe this, passage of Health Care legislation anywhere close to the House bill will BREAK THE BACKBONE OF NEVADA'S ECONOMY. I can tell you without hesitation that because my business is considered a small business by many but is so labor intensive that the current limits on payroll will cause us to either pay an 8% payroll tax or health care costs that we cannot afford. My business, which most would consider very successful, will not survive under these regulations.
I, like most Americans, want Health Care Reform - but small business cannot bare the entire burden. I could go on, but I think it's important for you to know - if you and the people you represent want to continue to enjoy the full service restaurant experience, we cannot allow this legislation to pass. Is business not tough enough now? I cannot raise prices high enough to compensate, and guests will not and should not pay the price for this.
We are preparing to open a new restaurant on the strip in the next few weeks, and had we known about the possibility of this legislation, I'm sure we would not have taken the risk we now are forced to take - and keep in mind we will hire 125 new employees for this restaurant.
I was impressed with your genuine concern for our industry when we met at Maggiano's. However I cannot and will not support your position on this legislation.
I appreciate the opportunity to express my opinion and I only hope that your hear what I and my fellow restaurateurs are saying.
Jim Rees Owner / Partner Hash House a Go Las Vegas, Nevada
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