>>>>>>We got notice today that we will be responsible for 60% of COBRA health insurance premiums for any employee who becomes a non-employee for any reason.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>This is up from 0%, and easily means several hundred$/month added expense per person (and more for their family) for anyone who quits or is fired from our company.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>We were assuming we would hire 2 developers this year (as opposed to using contractors which we normally do) as we are likely to pick up a very substantial contract within a month. It would have given us a reason to actually expand.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>So much for that idea.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>ALL small business gets the shaft.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>It's official.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Thanks for voting in a socialist.
>>>>>
>>>>>(yawn)
>>>>
>>>>It might be a little more exciting when you go job hunting and no one is hiring...
>>>
>>>It's no secret that the job market is in the toilet. The boredom factor for me here is that Obama just took office, inherited a colossal mess, and Bill is eager to blame any and all economic woes on him. That's why I yawned. It's old already.
>>
>>Keep the blinders on and think happy thoughts.
>
>What were the reasons given in your COBRA notice for the policy change?

Federal law change.

>
>What i find contradictory about your post (BO policies v. jobs) is that states are required to balance their budgets. The stim package sent billions to the states, which allowed them to reduce the severity of their budget cuts. Without that money, states would have had to slash even more jobs (police, teachers, emergency personnel, ...) which would certainly increase already high unemployment rates, which would help to raise the # of foreclosures, which would help to lower surrounding property values, which would impact some already ailing or underwater banks.