Situation Calls for Broad-Based Tax Relief
By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
With the U.S. economy struggling, we need policies that will spark immediate business investment and consumer spending.
Last year the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded 37 local and state chambers with Accreditation for their policies, organizational procedures, and impact on their communities. Local chambers are rated accredited, 3-Star, 4-Star, or 5-Star, while state chambers are recognized as either accredited or accredited with distinction. To learn more about accreditation, go to www.uschamber.com/accreditation.Accredited State Chambers With Distinction
Q: Do I need a buy-sell agreement for my partnership?A: Most business partnerships start with the best intentions, but not every partnership ends that way. That's why buy-sell agreements are so important. A buy-sell agreement is a contract between business partners that dictates who can buy a departing partner's share of the business and establishes a fair price for the partner's stake. The agreement also describes how to determine a company's value if all the owners decide to sell.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on an economic stimulus package this week, perhaps as early as Wednesday, February 6. The Senate is expected to consider either the $146 billion House version of an economic stimulus plan or a broader $157 billion package that Senate Democratic leaders are pushing. The Chamber supports the House bill, which includes increases for machinery and equipment expensing and accelerates depreciation for small businesses.
A U.S. Chamber delegation of 30 small- and medium-sized business owners will be on hand when President Bush signs into law a two-year, $168 billion economic stimulus bill on February 13 at the White House. The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provides immediate investment incentives for small businesses and tax rebates for individuals as early as May.
All U.S. Chamber of Commerce members are invited to attend America's Small Business Summit 2008, which will serve as the annual meeting for members of the Chamber. The summit will take place April 16-18 in Washington, D.C. It will offer attendees unique insight into current political issues and trends in small business as well as opportunities for hands-on lobbying and networking. To register, visit www.uschambersummit.com.
ArkansasGovernor Awards Funds for Research, Start-UpsGov. Mike Beebe (D) released $950,000 in funds to help a group working to build a knowledge-based economy in Arkansas do economic research and support start-up companies. The bulk of the funding will go to Innovate Arkansas, a program established by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to support start-up companies that are fast growing, high paying and technology or knowledge based.Source: Arkansas News Bureau
House Majority Leader Outlines Agenda After 25 years in the House, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) was voted House Majority Leader after the Democrats won control in the November 2006 elections. Sheryll Poe, uschamber.com staff writer, sat down with the majority leader to discuss the Democrats' progress so far and the business agenda ahead.
The Department of Labor has proposed new rules to clear up ambiguities in regulations implementing the Family Medical Leave Act, including requiring employees to give more advance notice when they are taking leave. The new rules would also require employees with serious medical conditions to provide more frequent medical certifications."We applaud the administration's effort to restore balance to the FMLA," says the Chamber's Marc Freedman, director of labor law policy.
