Chamber Division Supports UP Licensing Option

The City of University Place is considering the transfer of the processing of business licenses from the City to the Washington State Department of Licensing.

This issue has been reviewed and discussed by the Chamber’s UP-Fircrest Division Board. A resolution supporting this change in procedure was approved by the UP-Fircrest Division Board and forwarded to the City’s economic development commission (EDC).

Recently, the EDC made their recommendations in part based on the Chamber’s support of this issue.

A final decision will be made by the City of University Place City Council in the near future.

Business Incentives May Expire Otherwise

From the U.S. Chamber comes this urgent message, as an advocate for business:

The Senate is working to renew some of the tax cuts and credits that directly impact all of your businesses, especially those impacting capital gains and dividends. As you might expect, Sen. Cantwell is key to this discussion and needs some evidence that her home state’s business community is solidly behind keeping the capital gains and dividends tax rates at a reasonable level.

The effects of this tax increase are significant and numerous – deterring the use of capital in ways that will grow the economy and create jobs, incentivizing companies to use excessive debt financing, and discouraging businesses from paying dividends. That hurts all Americans, especially seniors, who rely on investment income to supplement their retirement.

Unless Congress acts, the tax rate for capital gains will increase by 33 percent and the tax rates for dividends will increase by as much as 164 percent. The increased cost of capital caused by these increases will hamper economic growth and job creation for years to come.

So, here’s how you can help…please consider adding your organization's name to the business community's letter to Capitol Hill urging them to stop an impending tax hike on capital gains and dividends.

Please add your organization's name to this sign-on letter by Friday, July 23, 2010.

We know this is short notice, and appreciate your thoughtful consideration of this important issue.

Governor seeks feedback on budget plans

This year the Washington State Office of Financial Management will be conducting four executive budget hearings to share information on the budget and receive feedback from residents around the state.

OFM is hosting a public hearing on the state budget in Tacoma on July 19 at 7 pm. At this hearing, OFM budget staff will be presenting information on each major budget area to the public and the Governor’s Committee on Transforming Washington’s Budget. The committee is a group of individuals from around the state and from all walks of life whose charge is to question all of the current assumptions about Washington’s budget. The panel and the public will also have a chance to provide comments or ask questions during the hearing. We hope to see you there!

Date: Monday, July 19, 2010
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00 pm
Location:University of Washington-Tacoma, William W. Phillip Hall, Milgard Assembly Room
1900 Commerce Street, Tacoma

Directions to UWT: click here.

Campus Map of UWT: click here.

Please share this invitation with your networks.  For more information contact: Veronica Marohn, South Puget Sound Regional Representative, Office of Governor Chris Gregoire, 360-902-4114.

Money Flows Unexpectedly

With the recent Supreme Court decision freeing up campaign spending by corporations and labor unions, most of the media ink/electrons has focused on freed corporate spending dominating the campaign coffers, and ignoring the freedom extended to unions with the same decision.

Well, so far, that hasn't been the way it is happening.  The findings are an indication that corporate money is not yet flooding into campaigns as many predicted would happen after the landmark decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The Washington Post reports that labor unions have dominated spending on independent campaign ads so far this election season, despite the recent Supreme Court decision.  The U.S. Chamber notes that so far this year, $24.7 million in independent spending has been reported to the FEC, campaign filings show. Unions have spent $9.7 million (39 percent of the total), compared with $6.4 million (26 percent) spent by individuals and $3.4 million spent by corporations (13.8 percent).

Call-Out for TPU Customer Volunteer Advisors

Tacoma Public Utilities is presenting an opportunity to its customers to apply as volunteer advisors for a newly forming editorial board.

The board will assist TPU’s Community & Media Services in shaping the external communications tools that are delivered, including newsletters, the website and special publications. TPU will seek opinions from board members about existing tools, tools under consideration and key messages. The opinions of the group will help the utility make decisions about its communication and marketing strategies.

The editorial board will meet quarterly in the evenings beginning in September and members will serve two-year terms. Applicants must be a TPU customer. Click here to apply.

“101” for Hopeful Small Business Start-Ups

Small businesses make a up a large portion of our area’s big economic picture. Sometimes they even provide “fuel” and sustenance to larger organizations and businesses.  So, the Chamber developed a series of programs aimed at small business success.

Called “Operation Business Bootstrap,” this free-to-the-public resource series includes a workshop, Small Business Start-Up: 101. The workshop, to be held next Wednesday, July 7, provides help for would-be small business owners with information on starting a business.

Presentations from local experts at the July 7th workshop will address:

- “How to form your corporation,” by Evan Marques, Eisenhower and Carlson law firm

- “Common office set-up/start-up mistakes to avoid,” by Petra Perkins from Corporate FrameWorx

- “Insurance needs of new businesses,” by Steve Thomason from Tom Taylor Insurance

Partners for “Operation Business Bootstrap” include City of Tacoma , Pierce County Economic Development, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, SBA , Small Business Development Center, and South Sound Washington Business Center.

For more information and to register, (due to limited seating, registration is required to attend), contact Judy Singley, 253.627.2175.

“Big Man on Small Business” Speaks

James Donaldson regaled Spotlight! On Business Award event attendees on June 22 with stories from his NBA playing years and his experiences as a small business entrepreneur. Donaldson, currently the Director of College Success Foundation and author of the newly published book, “Above the Crowd,” gave pointers on how to maintain a business in this tough economy.

Among other advice, he stressed how important it is to:

• Have a vision and a passion for what you are doing.
  
• Believe in your talent.
• Set goals. Citing his own goal of “playing until he was 40,” when he was starting out in the NBA, Donaldson kept going until he surpassed his goal, playing until he was 42 years old.
• Empower your employees, your “team.”
• Engage in peer-to-peer networking.
• Know who the “MVP is of your “team.”
• Accept that change will happen, if you stand still, things like technology and your
  competition will “run you over.”

Interspersed with tidbits such as a stint playing on the Harlem Globetrotters, Donaldson’s message was upbeat and encouraging.
Visit the Chamber's website for those selected for the 2010 Spotlight! On Business Awards.