Small-business owners appreciate tax break

Meeting with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, entrepreneurs give thumbs-up to a federal credit helping them offer their workers health care.

Small-business owners told Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell Tuesday that a provision of the recently passed health-care law is helping them to help the economy.

Three entrepreneurs told the governor they appreciate the federal tax credit that gives them 35 percent of the cost of providing health insurance to their employees.

“If small business is the backbone of our economy, you’ve allowed us to stand up a little straighter,” said Phoebe Wood, who runs a framing business in Jenkintown. She says she must offer health care to be competitive.

Dr. Francie Rubin, a veterinarian with 16 employees, says she will be able to cover more of them with the credit.

“I very much welcome this tax credit because one of my ambitions or goals is to provide health care to all my employees,” says Rubin.