uschamber.com Magazine February 2006

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• Cover Story: The State of American Business
  A strong economy and an upbeat forecast for 2006 cannot hide a number of economic challenges facing the United States, according to the U.S. Chamber's annual The State of American Business report.
• In Your Backyard
  Businesses Could See Tax Relief-A $525 million state surplus could lead to the elimination or reduction of the state's corporate surcharge tax, a levy strongly disliked by the business community.
• In Your Corner: Immigration Reform Requires Balance
  The key to effective immigration reform is balance. While we must take steps to better secure our borders, we must also provide immigrants with opportunities to fill jobs for which there are not enough Americans or that Americans do not want.
• Political Priorities for 2006
  Where Are the Parties Headed This Year?
• Chamber Opposes Calif. Fax Ban
  The U.S. Chamber's public policy law firm, The National Chamber Litigation Center (NCLC), gained in its efforts to halt California's advertising fax ban when a federal district court agreed to postpone implementation of the ban pending a hearing.
• Newsmaker: The Taxpayer Advocate
  Small business owners at odds with the IRS or perplexed by tax rules have a friend in Nina Olson.
• Stopping Lawsuits Before They Start
  The Supreme Court will soon determine whether potentially inapplicable federal discrimination lawsuits against small businesses will be nipped in the bud or dismissed after those businesses have unnecessarily incurred thousands of dollars in legal costs.
• Congress Concludes Active Session
  Before adjourning at the end of 2005, Congress completed or made progress on pro-business legislative items-but also acted against the business community's interests on energy and immigration.
• Chamber Expands Education Agenda
  For the first time, the U.S. Chamber is aggressively pushing for school reform and enhanced student performance at the state and local levels.
• Record-Keeping Tips
  Good record-keeping practices are necessary to comply with various laws and to operate your business properly. Therefore, you should establish a filing system where your records can be easily and efficiently retrieved.
• Access Your Online Tax Toolkit
  It's important to prepare your tax return properly, not only to protect yourself from audits and penalties but to ensure that you're not paying more than your fair share.
• Success Insight: Restauranteur Makes Food Fun
  Walk into any California Tortilla restaurant in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, and you’re likely to encounter more than just a menu of tasty Tex-Mex treats.
• ECON 101: New Year's Resolutions and Long-Run Challenges
  The main risks to the short-term forecast came from energy prices, but many economists believe that we have already weathered the worst from this sector for a while, at least.
• Small Business Matters: Partnership by the Numbers
  A business partnership should be entered into with a healthy dose of reality about the human element involved.
• Tech Tools February 2006: Sales Volume Vs. Profit Margin
  Which of your products or services generates the most profit for you?
• Working for You: High Energy Is Required
  Amy Ericksen, Counsel, Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs
• e-sources February 2006
  Links of interests for the February 2006 edition of uschamber.com