uschamber.com Magazine January 2005

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• Legal Reform Identified as a Top Priority
  Businesses of all sizes and across all industries cite legal abuse among their biggest concerns, according to the results of the U.S. Chamber’s National Business Agenda survey. Tax and regulatory burdens were also high on the list.
• In Your Corner: Uniting Disparate Interests Is Key to Success
  The U.S. Chamber helped build larger pro-business majorities in both houses of Congress, and the administration has put some Chamber priorities at the top of its second-term agenda.
• Results of Key State Ballot Initiatives
  While the presidential and congressional elections drew most of the country’s focus on November 2, the U.S. Chamber tracked key state ballot initiatives affecting small businesses.
• Businesses Offering More Despite Rising Costs
  While having to absorb steep cost increases, employers continue to provide generous benefits to their employees, according to the results of the U.S. Chamber’s 2004 Employee Benefits Study*,
• A Look at New Provisions Effective in 2005
  These provisions, as well as expiring ones or those that change over time, may apply to you. Below are a few of the more important ones.
• Spending Bill Benefits Business
  Congress finally called it quits on December 8 after completing action on an omnibus spending bill that will fund the government through September.
• Chamber Awards Highlight Exemplary Companies
  Seventh Generation, The Home Depot, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce are among the recipients of the 2004 Corporate Citizenship Awards presented by the Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC).
• Chamber Unveils Aggressive 2005 Policy Agenda
  This year the U.S. Chamber will pursue a comprehensive policy agenda designed to spur small business investment, expansion, and job growth.
• Prevent Credit Card Fraud
  Fraudulent credit card activity has always been a concern for businesses, and there is even a greater risk of fraud for mail order/telephone order (MOTO) and e-commerce merchants.
• Bush Outlines Economic Plan
  At an economic conference in mid-December, President Bush and his administration vowed to pursue a number of priorities during his second term that coincide with those of the U.S. Chamber’s agenda, including an aggressive push for legal reform.
• Success Insight: Winning on the Margins
  Advanous, a five-year-old company, helps distributors generate higher profits through more effective margin and pricing management practices.
• Tech Tools: Software Alternatives: Choosing the Right Tool
  The next time you need to add to your software toolbox, instead of automatically reaching for the store shelf and buying a product that does much more than you need it to, consider the options that freeware, shareware, and Open Source provide.
• ECON 101: Government Debt
  Last month we looked at the prospects for government revenues, spending, and the deficit. This month we are considering the cumulative effect of those deficits—government debt.
• Small Business Matters: Three Steps for a Successful 2005
  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.
• Working For You: The Business of Voting
  In addition to managing the GOTV effort, Mitchell oversees the Grassroots Action Information Network (GAIN), which helps small businesses stay connected with their members of Congress.