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TwitterSBE Council delivered a letter to Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) today, which applauded him for announcing his opposition to “card check” legislation – a bill that would take away the flexibility and operational authority small firms currently have to run their firms, while eviscerating employee access to a secret ballot when deciding on workplace unionization. (To view letter, please visit: http://www.sbecouncil.org/legaction/display.cfm?ID=3103). In the previous Congress, Senator Specter was a co-sponsor of the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act” and voted for cloture (which failed) to move the bill to a full Senate vote.While some commentators now believe that “card check” is a dead issue (as Senator Specter’s support was needed for the 60 votes required to bring the legislation to the Senate floor), a compromise was recently proposed by three big businesses whose livelihood is partly tied to small business customers – Starbucks, Costco Wholesale and Whole Foods.
Archive for March, 2009
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Small Business Resource …. Press Release Tool Kit
March 25th, 2009 
admin Here’s a great resource to help your small business get publicity for your company. Most Small Business can’t hire a marketing or Public Relations (PR) firm, so this is an excellent “Do It Yourself (DIY) resource for PR. It’s actually worked for lots of companies all across the country. You can look it over here: Press Release Tool KitThis PR Toolkit will help your business get a better understanding of how the media works, how to write a press release, how to identify all kinds of interesting story ideas, how to build a press kit, and most importantly how to work with reporters to get stories in the press. After you read through the toolkit you will be able to get publicity without having to spend thousands of dollars in advertising or agency fees.
More on Tobacco Taxes in the States
March 24th, 2009 admin The latest update on states looking to jack up tobacco taxes in the current economy from the March 21 New York Times is, to say the least, worrisome from a small retailer perspective.The Times reported, for example, the following:• “Budget shortfalls are pushing more than 20 states to look to tobacco for revenue, even those that have long been loath to touch cigarette taxes. In the South, where such taxes have been lower than in the rest of the country, Arkansas has nearly doubled its tax, to $1.15 a pack, and Kentucky’s will double, to 60 cents, on April 1.
The House, the Constitution, and the 90% Bonus Tax
March 23rd, 2009 admin As I’ve made perfectly clear throughout my career as an economist and policy analysis, I am not a fan of government bailing out private businesses. Taxpayer dollars are thrown away, the size and reach of government expands, moral hazard is created, and the entire market system is undermined.And of course, whenever government sticks its nose into something, along with it comes politics.Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives served up politics at its most pandering.
AIG Outrage ….. Who’s REALLY At Fault?
March 23rd, 2009 admin I recently received the latest newsletter from Rep. Randy Forbes (my Congressman) and the message really hit home with me. Like many of you, I am more than ticked at AIG and their giving of bonuses to executives that created their mess in the 1st place …. AND giving billions to Foreign banks. All of it coming out of their bailout money. Meaning “my” pocket and yours.But even worse ….
2nd Jacksonville Green Expo, April 25th and 26th, Prime Osborn
March 22nd, 2009 admin We are finding that “Green Businesses” are doing rather well in this economy and it is likely to get even better for them as we grow out of this economic down cycle. Here is an opportunity to learn more about the coming “Green Wave” in Jacksonville…The 2nd Jacksonville Green Expo will be a two-day event to be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 25th and 26th, 2009 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, downtown Jacksonville.
Incoming Searches that might interest you:
Democrats Worried About Obama Economic Policies
March 20th, 2009 admin So, it’s not just Republicans, conservatives and free market types who are worried about many of the policies being pushed by the Obama administration.The March 20 Los Angeles Times reported the following:In the three weeks since the budget was unveiled, fiscally conservative Democrats have raised concerns about proposed spending increases. Leaders of the House and Senate tax-writing committees have criticized some of Obama’s proposed tax increases on wealthier Americans.
10 Steps to Entrepreneurial Success
March 20th, 2009 admin Not as easy as it sounds. Nevertheless, here are ten things one can do to increase the chance of entrepreneurial success:Know the business well – Knowing the business by working in the sector or by being connected to it for a long time, will result in valuable insights and invaluable contacts.Plan – Not to be confused with making a business plan. Before you start the venture , the process of venture creation has to be planned out, risks and bottlenecks have to be identified and resources have to be organised.Start small but scalable – Even if you can start big; start small, learn from things that go right and wrong and then expand.Arrange for the money – Do not make assumptions regarding availability of money.
