U.S. Legal System Has Run Amok
By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Sadly, America has adopted a culture where everyone is a victim, where suing is the first—not the last—resort, and where any misfortune in life must always be someone's fault.
We see some courts, juries, prosecutors, attorneys general, and regulators using the legal system not to enforce the law but to make the law. We see troubling attacks on the due process rights guaranteed to every American by ambitious prosecutors.
ArkansasBusiness Development Center Works-Businesses assisted by the Arkansas Small Business Development Center generated more than $154 million in increased sales in 2006, according to a Mississippi State University study. More than $14.3 million in tax revenues were also generated by such businesses. Source: Arkansas News Bureau
The U.S. Chamber will honor exceptional businesses that demonstrate the spirit of enterprise at America's Small Business Summit 2008, April 16-18, in Washington, D.C. Follow these steps to apply or to nominate a business:
BILL NAMESUMMARY OF BILL AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOUU.S. CHAMBER'S POSITIONSTATUSInternet TaxMoratoriumH.R. 3678Internet TaxFreedom ActAmendments Act Of 2007
AlaskaCity Officials Consider Request for Oil Tax WaiverThe Juneau Assembly is considering a request by the Juneau Chamber of Commerce to consider a temporary city sales tax exemption for fuel oil sold during a 90-day window in light of currently high oil prices. If renewed, the relief could equal a $450,000 subsidy to residential and business customers during the three month window, a chamber official said.Source: Juneau Empire
December 11, 2007—The labor market created 94,000 net new jobs in November while the unemployment rate remained at 4.7%. Nonfarm business productivity increased 6.3% in the 3rd quarter, a welcome improvement on the 2.2% rise during the 2nd quarter. The ISM Index inched down in November to 50.8 but remains in expansionary territory. Last, factory orders grew a larger-than-expected 0.5% in October.
CaliforniaState Chamber Leads Fight on Water Bond PlanWith legislative negotiations stalled, an alliance of business and farm groups has begun an effort to qualify an $11.7 billion water bond initiative for November's ballot. The business-backed measure filed by the California Chamber of Commerce is similar to a Republican-backed plan that places an emphasis on dams. The Democratic proposal focuses on groundwater storage and conservation. Source: The Sacramento Bee
As Congress returns from recess this week, the U.S. Chamber is urging Congress to move quickly on a series of key small business issues before the end of the year, including bills on energy, taxes, and trade. A vote on a compromise energy bill is expected on the House floor as early as Wednesday. In the Senate, members will begin debate on a House-passed trade promotion agreement with Peru.
As part of a national series of speeches on ways to improve America's competitiveness, Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue warned that without major reform of the nation's education system, "America will lose jobs, productivity, and, eventually, hope."
