uschamber.com Magazine May 2003

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• Chamber Lobbies for President’s Plan
  Proving the adage that you shouldn’t believe everything you read, media accounts that President Bush has given up on his jobs and economic growth plan and that Congress has firmly decided it will not pass more than $350 billion in tax cuts are not accurate
• Transitioning Veterans to Jobs
  For military personnel and their families, making the transition from a highly structured work environment to a civilian workplace can be difficult.
• Earning Interest on Business Checking
  A Depression-era law forbidding banks to pay interest on commercial checking accounts may soon be history due to an aggressive lobbying effort by the U.S. Chamber.
• Chao Focuses on Compliance Assistance
  “Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao approaches challenges much like the Chamber,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue.
• House Passes Bankruptcy Reform
  The days of businesses being bilked by wealthy debtors exploiting loopholes in bankruptcy law may soon be ending thanks to U.S. Chamber-backed legislation recently passed by the House.
• Revitalizing Travel and Tourism
  The events of 9/11, military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, and widespread panic over SARS, gathered recently at the U.S. Chamber and quickly agreed that a plan of action was desperately needed to revitalize this key American industry.
• “Regional Chamber” Alert
  Have you received a phone call or invoice recently from the Regional Chamber of Commerce? If so, you should carefully check any invoices you receive.
• Legal Reform Efforts Intensify
  From class action abuse to out-of-control asbestos litigation, the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) is stepping up its efforts to reform America’s federal and state legal systems.
• Limiting Liability and Increasing Access
  Health care issues are heating up on Capitol Hill, which instills either optimism or dread depending on your confidence in Congress’ ability to contribute successful solutions to the health care challenges facing our nation.
• Tax Credits for Urban and Rural Areas
  Are you making the most of the federal tax credits available in your community? If you operate a business in an urban or rural area, you may be eligible for significant tax credits.
• Chamber Study Shows Key Ports Outdated
  Without the adoption of a comprehensive, national freight policy, the nation’s seaports and associated rail and highway infrastructure will soon be overwhelmed by enormous volumes of freight arriving and departing from America’s docks.
• Online Privacy Made Simple
  Back by popular demand, the U.S. Chamber and the Better Business Bureau have produced the second edition of Privacy Made Simple, a do-it-yourself guide to online privacy management that helps businesses put top-notch privacy guidelines in place.
• Tech Tools: Broadening the Internet's Reach
  Although concerns about the budget and Iraq have been at the top of the congressional agenda, Congress will soon turn its attention to other issues.
• Fair Labor Standards Act Must Be Modernized
  Instead of stifling creative scheduling arrangements, we should be finding ways to encourage innovative employer-employee partnerships,” said U.S. Chamber Small Business Council member Houston Williams in recent testimony before Congress.
• Face Off: The Search for a National Energy Strategy
  Sec. Spencer Abraham and Rep. Edward J. Markey face off on national energy.
• In Your Corner: Our Role In The New World Order
  A faltering global economy and security threats to the free world oblige the U.S. to aggressively reassert its leadership in building a world order based on collaboration, openness, economic cooperation, immigration, human rights,
• Small Business Matters: Getting Federal Contracts
  The federal government procures more than $200 billion in goods and services annually, and that amount will continue to increase.
• Success Insight: Playing by Heart Makes a Difference
  Losing a major supplier can often spell the difference between success and failure. Steven Cohen, owner of Jason's Music Center found the loss of a supplier one of the greatest challenges he had faced in more than 45 years in the music business.
• Pushing Back on the Trial Bar: Lisa Rickard President, Institute for Legal Reform
  Lisa Rickard discusses the effects of lawsuits on both large and small businesses.
• ECON 101: Labor Markets: What Are They Trying to Tell Us?
  One of the best indicators of economic activity is the labor market. Unfortunately, when we look at these measures today, we get a hodgepodge of mixed signals. What does this mean? How can we make sense of these numbers?