uschamber.com Magazine July 2003

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• Health Care Legislation for Self-Employed Could Save Billions
  Sponsored legislation would revise the tax code to make health care more affordable for self-employed business owners.
• The Lawsuits of Madison County
  The Chamber is calling on the Illinois Supreme Court and state lawmakers to restore fairness in the courts of Madison County.
• OSHA Reform Needed
  Chamber urges for reform of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), enforcement of which falls disproportionately on small businesses.
• Internet Tax Moratorium Could End
  The next book you buy online might cost a little more than the last one, especially if Congress fails to renew the Internet tax moratorium, which expires in October.
• Federal Credit System Threatened
  Businesses of all sizes and industries could face serious disruptions if Congress fails to renew the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) before it expires in December 2003.
• Award Nominations Sought
  The U.S. Chamber is seeking nominations of companies or chambers of commerce that have demonstrated public-spirited leadership and made economic and social contributions to their communities.
• Small Business Council Advances Agenda
  The U.S. Chamber's Small Business Council met in Washington, D.C., where committee members were briefed by Chamber staff, learned of small business victories, strategized on legislative issues, and visited Capitol Hill.
• Moffitt Receives Sheehan Award
  The U.S. Chamber announced at its summer board meeting in mid-June that Donald Moffitt, chairman of CNF Inc., is this year's recipient of the Dennis Sheehan Award.
• Chamber Members Meet Legislators
  The Chamber's 13 regional offices formed the Freshmen Forum series to welcome newly elected members of Congress and introduce them to the business community.
• Chamber Pushes Free Trade Agenda
  Free trade agreements (FTAs) with both Singapore and Chile would eliminate tariffs on the sale of foreign goods between the United States and these two countries -- a boon to businesses of all sizes.
• Gingrich on Health Care
  Newt Gingrich's new book prescribes a 21st century health care system that empowers individuals with choice, injects free market principles, and overhauls government entitlement programs.
• We Want to Hear From You
  Tell us your stories. If your company has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve success, we invite you to share your story so that others might learn from your experiences.
• Success Insight: Winery Responds to Changing Tastes
  As customers' tasted shifted from sweet to dry wines, the Helds, owners of Stone Hill Winery, relied on hard work, determination, and creativity to stay in business.
• Tech Tools: Some Technology Tips: Security, Marketing, and Investment Matter
  Some key items to remember about technology.
• Congress OKs Small Business Tax Cuts
  Small businesses and sole proprietors are celebrating the signing of the tax relief package by President Bush on May 28, as it quadruples the first-year expensing allowance.
• ECON 101: Better Times Ahead?
  While head winds continued to buffet the economy in the second quarter of this year, signs of better times ahead began to emerge.
• Face Off: Is Free Trade Good for America?
  Reps. Harold Ford and Earl Blumenauer square off on the recent Chile and Singapore trade agreements.
• In Your Corner: Another Energy Crisis?
  The theory of supply and demand is one of the first lessons taught in Econ 101, a lesson apparently lost on some of our government leaders. And we're paying for it: While demand for natural gas has increased, supplies have not.
• Small Business Matters: Retirement Plans for Small Business
  Have you dismissed the idea of implementing a retirement plan? If so, you might be overlooking significant opportunities for yourself, your business, and your employees.
• Working For You: Neil Hare
  Neil Hare, the Chamber's vice president for corporate communications, has refocused the Chamber's communications efforts to better serve small businesses.