What's important to Alliance members in the next election? To find out, the Alliance for Affordable Services polled a sampling of its members in October.

Members responded they want reforms that will put more money back in their businesses now and in the future. Forty-four percent cited Social Security reform as the number one regulatory issue heading into the election year.

Regarding health care reform, 41% said the number one issue is creating a self-employment tax deduction for health insurance premiums and 28.2% said the most important tax reform is an increase and simplification of the home office deduction.

In addition to ranking the issues, members also indicated the legislative priorities they want the Alliance to champion in the coming year:

• 80.7% desire tax credits on health insurance

• 72.9% said keep the Internet sales-tax free

• 61.2% want the permanent repeal of the estate tax

• 56% desire a reduction in legal liabilities and punitive damages for businesses with less than 25 employees

• 50% want a simplified definition of the independent contractor status

• 44.1% said increase the deduction for business meals to 100%

• 41.8% support a decrease in taxes for domestic manufacturing by 3%

• 32.9% favor lower federal interest rates

• 25.5% require clarification of the exempt and non-exempt status of employees

The Alliance will advocate for these and other reforms in 2004 as well as share the results of its survey with various coalitions in Washington, D.C.

The mission of the Alliance is to enhance the quality of life for American families that embrace the ideals and philosophy of entrepreneurship. The Alliance empowers its members to succeed by providing quality benefits that educate and inform them about personal, professional and financial matters.