America Must Engage the Global Economy
Donald J. Shepard
Chairman of the Board
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
They reverberate on the campaign trail, surface in the media, and reveal themselves in public opinion polls. Negative American attitudes toward international trade and investment are on the rise, threatening the country's competitiveness and prosperity.
ArkansasGovernor Wants More Business AidMore money would be put into a fund to attract new businesses to Arkansas and help existing ones under Gov. Mike Beebe's (D) budget proposal for next year. Virtually all of the $50 million originally set aside has been spent or allocated. Source: Associated Press
"Dear 44th U.S. President and 111th Congress '"Institute for 21st Century Energy President and CEO Gen. James L. Jones, USMC (Ret.) calls on Americans to come together to solve the nation's energy crisis.
The U.S. economy will get weaker before it gets better, sliding into a "relatively short and mild" recession towards the end of the year, says U.S. Chamber Chief Economist Marty Regalia. Businesses and consumers will have to "weather a number of storms," before the economy begins to pick up again next year, Regalia said during the Chamber's annual Labor Day briefing at its Washington headquarters on August 28.
The clock is ticking for businesses to take full advantage of tax benefits provided in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. The law increases Section 179 expensing limits for purchased property placed in service during the 2008 tax year to $250,000 from $128,000. Further, the law provides an additional 50% special depreciation allowance for property and equipment acquired and placed in service during 2008. The remaining value of the investments will be depreciated over the life of the item beginning that year.
The Chamber's Bill Miller (middle right) briefs reporters on the Chamber's election efforts at the VoteForBusiness Bandwagon launch in Washington D.C.
Promotes Pro-Business Agenda in Key States
After more than two decades of starts and stops, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is conducting a comprehensive review and revamp of its small business size standards. The SBA is turning to the business community, including the U.S. Chamber, for input. The Chamber's Giovanni Coratolo and Steve Lutes attended a June 3 SBA review meeting to learn about the agency's two-year plan to update size standards for each industry.
ArkansasTourism Gets Boost Despite High Gas Prices Rising gas prices and a struggling economy may have helped the state's tourism industry this summer, according to Arkansas tourism officials. Joe David Rice, tourism director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, said that high gas prices may actually have worked in the state's favor, with campgrounds, resorts, state parks, and attractions reporting an increase in the number of local visitors and visitors from surrounding states such as Texas.
The Chamber is prepared to work with unions on issues where there is room for compromise but is ready to fight on behalf of employers against expansion of family leave, mandatory paid leave, and efforts to cut employers out of the union election process, says the Chamber's Vice President of Labor, Immigration & Employee Benefits Randy Johnson.
