Education, Health Care, and Chamber Cooperation
By Paul S. Speranza Jr.
Chairman of the Board
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
FloridaBusinesses Get Tax BreakSmall business owners caught a break from the Legislature when it passed a bill exempting the first $25,000 of tangible personal property tax. The tax is placed on nonfixed assets such as computers, phones, and basic office equipment. Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal
The U.S. Chamber has launched a new 60-Second Advocate calling on Chamber members to e-mail, write or call their members of Congress at their home offices during the August recess, and share their opinion about legislation that impacts business.
By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of CommerceAugust 7, 2007
Dr. Martin RegaliaLast month I promised to write another column about the alternative minimum tax (AMT). I've decided to save that topic for a later date in order to give the various AMT reform proposals percolating in Congress time to come into clearer focus.
NORTHEASTMaineElectric Rates Propel Business CostsMaine's cost-of-doing-business ranking soared to 17th-highest in the nation as measured by the Milliken Institute, a California-based think tank. The big jump, from 28th in the nation last year, is driven by sharp increases in the cost of electricity. Electricity rates for Maine businesses are 43% above the national average. Source: Bangor Daily News
NORTHEASTConnecticutReport Predicts Slow Job Growth A report by the University of Connecticut is predicting that the state's job growth will decelerate in the next year and will further flatten in 2009. The main reason is the overall slowdown in the national economy, especially the housing sector, according to the report. In addition, the state has had difficulty attracting skilled workers, partly because of high costs and the lack of a major city.
Senate Bill Moves in Wrong DirectionAs Congress takes up comprehensive energy legislation, the U.S. Chamber is advancing policies to increase energy efficiency and conservation, ensure affordable and reliable supplies, and promote economic and national security. Here are the Chamber's positions on the key components of pending energy legislation:
U.S. Chamber's Massive Lobbying Effort SuccessfulBacked by the Chamber, the Senate dealt a major blow to the top legislative priority of labor unions by blocking a bill that would allow unions to organize workplaces without a secret ballot election. The Senate's 51-48 vote fell 9 votes short of the 60 needed to end debate and move the legislation forward.
Finding the Right Plan for Your Small BusinessThere are a slew of retirement plans geared for small businesses or the self-employed, says Sam Gilbert, president, United Plan Administrators and a member of the U.S. Chamber's Employee Benefits Committee.SIMPLE Plans-The Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees, or SIMPLE-IRA, is an employer-matching contribution plan targeted at businesses with 100 or fewer workers.
