uschamber.com Magazine May 2005

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• In Your Backyard
  News across the nation.
• Face Off: The Future of Amtrak: Is the Intercity Passenger Rail System Worth Saving?
  Norman Y. Mineta and Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE) debate the future of Amtrak.
• In Your Corner: Creating a Bigger, Stronger Team: Working With Diverse Groups Helps Advance Agenda
  The U.S. Chamber recently participated in a Capitol Hill press conference urging Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
• Another Nail in the Death Tax Coffin -- House Passes Permanent Repeal; Senate Next
  Could the permanent end of the dreaded death tax finally be at hand? The House did its part in April when it overwhelmingly passed a permanent repeal of the unfair levy.
• Tax Cuts Spur Entrepreneurship : SBA Study Examines Benefits of Tax Cuts
  In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” For entrepreneurs, there is one other certainty: tax cuts are a catalyst for new business ventures.
• The U.S. Chamber Co-Sponsored Cover the Uninsured Week Events
  The U.S. Chamber believes that access to affordable coverage is our nation’s highest health care priority.
• Taming the Regulatory Beast : Chamber Seeks More Small Business Protections
  In a just world, federal agencies would be required to weigh the impact of proposed regulations on small businesses to ensure that the rule’s benefits outweigh the costs, right?
• Looking Out for S Corporations: Chamber Supports Pro-Small Business Tax Ruling
  State income taxes paid by S corporations should be considered a cost of doing business during a contract job and consequently reimbursable as part of the contract, according to a friend-of-the-court brief filed by the National Chamber Litigation Center.
• Bankruptcy Laws Updated
  On April 20, the president signed into law a bill to reform outdated bankruptcy laws. The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 will go into effect in six months.
• Social Security Must Be Fixed Now: Program on Unsustainable Course
  Social Security remains on an unsustainable course, requiring prompt, responsible, and bipartisan action to fix the program for our children and grandchildren.
• Elected Officials Praise the Chamber
  In March, the U.S. Chamber honored pro-business members of Congress with its annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards. Recipients of the award were recognized for voting in support of the Chamber’s legislative position at least 70% of the time in 2004.
• CCC Conference and Award Nominations
  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC), dedicated to improving the social environment in which businesses operate, is once again having another busy year. On May 19 and 20, CCC is hosting the 2005 Partnership Conference.
• Success Insight: Family Business Drives Sales
  From his father Bob’s garage in Southern California to an expanding business with a presence in all 50 states, Rick Augustine and his wife, Debbie, have learned the value of a great sales team.
• New ADA Guidelines Proposed
  Businesses that have spent substantial time and resources complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) could be hit with a new wave of burdensome ADA regulatory mandates.
• ECON 101: Are Inflation Fears Inflated?
  While it seems like only a few months ago that news stories were warning of the dire consequences of deflation, recent increases in oil prices and other commodity prices have those same wags now contemplating the inevitability of runaway inflation.
• Small Business Matters: Preparing for Small Claims Court: What to Do If Your Business Is Sued
  You probably don’t want to hear about New Year’s Resolutions from me, but it’s my job to encourage you to push the envelope and continually seek excellence—even if it means that I have to meddle.
• Tech Tools: Watching Your Every Move: Adware and Spyware Adopt Similar Tactics
  Not so long ago it was easy to distinguish between adware and spyware. Adware is useful -- and usually free -- software that generates revenue for the vendor by displaying ads, or by openly, but anonymously, tracking your online movements for marketing.
• Working for You: Meeting the Workforce Challenge
  Workplace strategies -- how to hire, train, and keep qualified people -- are some of the most difficult issues that businesses face in the 21st century.
• Focus on Trade and Small Business -- Passing DR-CAFTA
  May is International Trade Month and a perfect opportunity for the U.S. Chamber to introduce you to its International Division and discuss a top free trade priority--passage of DR-CAFTA.
• DR-CAFTA: 5 Things You Should Know
  DR-CAFTA supports American jobs,levels the playing field for U.S. workers, gives U.S. companies and workers new opportunities, helps people in the region, and more.