Union-only Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on federal contracts require that the contracts be awarded only to those who agree to collective bargaining and union hiring. Union-only PLAs exclude a majority of the workforce from the opportunity to participate in federally-funded projects.

Union-only PLA proponents argue that the agreements promote fair wages and labor peace through non-strike clauses. However, Davis-Bacon laws already ensure that the local, usually union, prevailing wage is paid on federal construction projects and merit shop employees do not go on strike. In reality, these agreements are about forcing merit shop contractors to submit to union rules and hiring halls if they want to bid on projects covered by a union-only PLA. As merit shop contractors have already chosen to operate non-union, why would they agree to bid on projects covered by union-only PLAs?

PLAs cost the American taxpayer more money by drastically limiting project bids to a small segment of the market that runs union-only shops. In a time when elected officials in both parties preach the doctrine of fiscal discipline, the expense of PLAs does not seem justified. In a move designed to curtail wasteful federal spending in 2001, President Bush signed Executive Order 13202, which expressly prohibits PLAs on federal construction projects.

In 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 84% of the construction workforce in the United States did not belong to a labor union. Not only do union-only PLAs waste taxpayer money, but they prohibit the large majority of the workforce that has chosen not be a part of a union from working on projects financed by their tax dollars.

Status of Legislation: On February 6, 2009, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13502, which authorizes and encourages the use of union-only project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction contracts. President Obama's order also repealed President Bush's Executive Order 13202, which banned PLA?s on federal projects. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) and Representative John Sullivan (R-OK) have introduced the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act (S. 90/H.R. 983), which would preserve open competition on federal construction projects. Specifically, S. 90 and H.R. 983 would "prevent discrimination against Federal Government contractors or their employees based upon labor affiliation or the lack thereof, thereby promoting the economical, nondiscriminatory, and efficient administration and completion of Federal and federally funded or assisted construction projects."

IEC Position: IEC opposes any legislation that would promote union-only PLAs. IEC supports any effort to ensure open competition on federal construction projects.

Mar 10, 2010 Small-business owners speak out at mayor's forum: Some express concerns about the city's treatment. (Tulsa World) But Bunney said many city purchasing documents are too specific and unnecessarily rule out some potential local bidders. "We are working to address that," he said. Mayor's business forums slated All forums are scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 16: Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Los Angeles Times Michael Hiltzik column (Los Angeles Times) Consider a policy recently implemented by the bank that processes Quatrine's Visa and MasterCard charges. Then it forwards the chits to the customers' card issuers for collection. Last month the bank placed a hold on $60,000 in advance deposits paid by Quatrine customers. But we're still here."...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Barrett would try to create 180,000 jobs (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Barrett said he wants to beef up the best state jobs programs, tie tax cuts to job creation and find ways to help small businesses. Tommy Thompson's administration, which started in 1987.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Business groups plan TV assault on Obama health-care plan (Washington Post) ...business groups, who are fiercely battling the president's proposals for health-care reform, financial regulations and cap-and-trade legislation. In a pair of fiery appearances this week, Obama ratcheted up his attacks on the insurance industry for opposing reform and called on House and...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Cyberthieves stealing from large percentage of small businesses (USA Today) Cybercriminals are cracking into the online bank accounts of small- and medium-sized businesses at an unprecedented rate. Banks are failing to take proactive steps to protect their SMB customers, and, as a result, many SMBs are changing banks.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Foursquare Introduces New Tools for Businesses (New York Times) What kind of food do you like?’” said Mr.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Valley group seeks volunteer counselors (The Fresno Bee) It was once was an acronym for Service Corp of Retired Executives.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Work-life balance is hardest in a start-up environment (The Miami Herald) It's just not realistic, Zamek said.Starting a business means you need to be extremely focused in order to have some work/life balance. You also need to know when to hire and when to delegate.There is opportunity in small business. She considers it crucial to work/life balance and business...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 OrangeSoda gets new investment (The Salt Lake Tribune) It has about 165 employees. Citysearch is an online local guide that provides consumer users with information about businesses and events in cities and neighborhoods.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Business efforts prompt top honor (The Daily Oklahoman) That year, he started working with Boeing (NYSE:BA) Corp. as a subcontractor, going from two employees one day to 95 the next.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 With credit still tight, more mom-and-pop businesses turn to microlending (The Boston Globe) The average size loan is $10,000 at 10 percent interest, said lending director Rob Vickers. Many banks will not consider business loans less than $200,000, he said.Microlending first became popular as a form of foreign investment in poor, emerging markets. Before joining the LEDC a few years ago,...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 This year, delaying taxes can be particularly costly (Los Angeles Times) Deductions work by reducing income subject to taxes.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Durbin to insurance companies (Chicago Tribune) Can't do it." David Kogan owns DKP Image + Media in the West Loop. He said health insurance rates for three employees went up from $926 a month in 2005 to $2,516 in 2008. In 2009, the business downgraded to two employees: himself and his son.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 EDITORIAL (Star Tribune) Minnesota shouldn't stop exploring creative ways to constrain government spending. That explains the business lobby's hostility to an income tax or sales tax rate increase. His 2009 tax bill was vetoed. But this year, Bakk has opted for pragmatism and an approach tinged with bipartisanship.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 NFIB outlines legislative priorities for 2010 (The Orlando Sentinel) Billed as an American-Idol-meets-Apprentice-type event, the competition lets women business owners pitch their companies for a chance to win business services to help build a million-dollar-a-year enterprise. Sanford businesswoman Chrystin Bullock, owner of the Florida Autism Center, finished in...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Small businesses, banks differ on loans (The Commercial Appeal) About 90 lending institutions made SBA-backed loans in FY 2009. The Tennessee Bankers Association represents 235 banks. Despite the private and public resources, Gronauer is finding it difficult to secure enough credit to expand his business. The lending tune has changed a little bit and the...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky., Tom Eblen column: 24-year-olds start delivery business with optimism and a plan (Lexington Herald-Leader) They always believed they’d work for themselves. Rumpke’s mother, Linda, a former banker, is Lexington’s commissioner of finance and administration. His father, Rob, is president of the regional planning group Bluegrass Tomorrow. “It’s a business model that’s working in other...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 New jobs, older clientele (Akron Beacon Journal) Right behind today's current seniors is the vanguard of America's baby boomers -- 76 million strong. Don't enter into senior care just because of the demographics," Mason said. "But use the knowledge of it as final assurance to take the plunge.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky., Tom Eblen column: Eblen (Lexington Herald-Leader) They want to create relationships with groceries and partnerships with local farmers to supply produce. They always believed they'd work for themselves. Rumpke's mother, Linda, a former banker, is Lexington's commissioner of finance and administration. His father, Rob, is president of the...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Upcoming events focus on helping start-ups (The Miami Herald) Weber said the Community Express Loans are usually for not more than $25,000, unless the business is located in a designated economically depressed area. SCORE Miami has five counselors, including Weber, who perform this function free of charge for local businesses. Information: www.sfmsdc.org...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 College advisor eagerly accepts business advice (The Miami Herald) Charging a set fee of $5,000, International College Counselors will work with students starting in Grade 9 through acceptance. They may not have the connections and expertise Adler does. Adler and Liebowitz said they already offer gift cards.    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Ask an Expert: 5 powerful recession-busting ideas! (USA Today) Twitter has become a valuable business tool that is allowing small business owners to connect with people in ways they otherwise could not.Think of Twitter as a conversation. Steven D. Strauss is a lawyer, author and speaker who specializes in small business and entrepreneurship. His latest book...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Credit thaw for small firms (Washington Post) The average size of the LEDC's loans is $10,000 at a 10 percent interest rate, said Lending Director Rob Vickers. Renaud Laplanche, chief executive of the Lending Club, said small businesses account for about 10 percent of loans made on his peer-lending site, with the average amount about...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Maquilas dodge the violence (El Paso Times) I travel mostly in the safe corridors" established for the maquilas, said Spoon, who commutes daily between his El Paso home and Juarez. Commuting is a concern for maquila professionals. She said the violence was not driving maquilas out of Juarez, as companies have investments too big to leave....    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Panel tries to open Wright-Patt gates to local companies (Dayton Daily News) Steve Austria, who convened the commission in December, is to produce recommendations for any company seeking to do business with Ohio's largest single-site employer.    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky., Tom Eblen column (Lexington Herald-Leader) They always believed they’d work for themselves. Rumpke’s mother, Linda, a former banker, is Lexington’s commissioner of finance and administration. His father, Rob, is president of the regional planning group Bluegrass Tomorrow. “It’s a business model that’s working in other...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Fueling the future (The San Diego Union-Tribune) ...methane that is now being burned off at the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant and clean it up. Some of the gas will power a fuel cell at that plant, the rest will be put into SDG&E's natural gas pipelines, and a similar amount will be used to power fuel cells at the university and at a...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Mayor seeks input to develop, retain business (Tulsa World) We'll be in very big trouble." Across the country, there are core cities that have gone into a death spiral and never recovered, Bartlett said, citing Detroit and St.    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Creativity replaces grit (The Providence Journal) It's the perfect place for a store." The building, which wasn't up to building code, needed some work. Arti designs 80 percent of the fabrics, she said. The development that is taking place in our city ... is maybe not prominent ... [as it is in] Providence, where you might see all the cranes.    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Employers lash out over unemployment tax spike (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) ...percent increase in the rate it is taxed for the state's jobless benefits fund. "It's incredibly surprising. This hurts. It really hurts small businesses," said Azur, human resources manager at Questeq Inc., which provides services to public and private schools. Questeq, along with the...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Some, but not all, small businesses are weathering the downturn (The State) Kristy Eppley Rupon Mar. 7, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Being a small-business owner is challenging. But I just feel like I've created a home," Green said. Expanding her small business during a recession has been a challenge. She held off on the renovation of...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 CompSource plan may be in trouble by Oklahoma legislation (The Daily Oklahoman) A similar measure, Senate Bill 2232 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, R-Midwest City, is waiting to be heard on the Senate floor. Lawmakers last year passed legislation calling for the privatization of CompSource, which has about 300 employees. Its members voted 5-3 for policyholders to own the system....    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Some finding economic shift creates career options (Tampa Tribune) Cannici again joined thousands of workers making new career plans, figuring that skilled trades, from doctors to accountants to pastry chefs, would become solid occupations in the future. They relied on word of mouth from the dozen or so people who wandered into Sweet Caroline's in the first...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Chamber of Commerce offers free teleseminars (Tampa Tribune) To participate, contact the chamber at office@centralpasco chamber.com or (813) 909-2722 for the dial-in number.    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Pasco County business digest (St. Petersburg Times) For information, call the chamber at (727) 842-7651. --2Win Promotions LLC, at the chamber office, 5443 Main St., New Port Richey, at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Laura Kinkead, 6145 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. Hors d'oeuvres and libations will be available. For 13 years he owned a business that...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Wise Words with Bob Paull (The Spokesman-Review) What we brought out of Butte, and I think every Butte kid brought this out, is you work hard. I'm a mixture of my mom and dad. What they found was on my aortic valve was a huge infection.    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Seminar to help firms fly with Tinker (Tulsa World) Davis is the initial point of contact for businesses seeking contract opportunities with the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, and Mr.    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 U.S. notices, threats stall local startup (Chattanooga Times/Free Press) Schultz said Customs seized the vehicles and held them for seven weeks at a cost of $5,400. He said EPA later released the Tuk Tuks for storage in Chattanooga. Schultz said he was told the company had to reship the vehicles out of the country or the Tuk Tuks would be seized and destroyed. Mr....    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 County wants to help small businesses (The Commercial Appeal) ...small businesses -- or LOSBs, in county jargon -- about the program. As a first step, Interim County Mayor Joe Ford will appear in television public service announcements. The other recommendations include hosting special events to let leaders of small businesses meet with county officials....    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Memphis picked again for SBA's "Emerging 200" program (The Commercial Appeal) ...program is expanding into a dozen other communities with a focus on Native American business (OOTC:ARBU) owners. "Emerging 200 training represents the SBA's groundbreaking commitment to America's underserved markets," said Walter Perry, state SBA district director. "The growth of communities...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 State urges banks to back small-business growth (The Charlotte Observer) Bev Perdue on Friday launched a program to lean on state banks to tap into Small Business Administration loans. This isn't just a do-gooder policy." Banks already are offering more small business loans, at least in the category of loans smaller than $1 million. It took a lot of work." The Small...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Health insurers seeking rate hike (The Boston Globe) State regulators have long been empowered by law to disapprove health insurance rates, but have never done so. Increases for many individuals and small businesses could be even steeper, depending on factors such as the age of their workforce. Robert Weisman can be reached at...    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 Suits claim Yelp violates competition law (The San Diego Union-Tribune) Real Reviews," allege violations of unfair-competition law, and were filed one week apart in federal court in Los Angeles. In September, she noticed a few were missing and she called Yelp.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va., Bill Lohmann column: Bill Lohmann (Richmond Times-Dispatch) His seven employees work similarly long hours. 10:15 a.m. Sgroi arrives and begins, along with several employees, prepping food for the day. Sgroi shakes his head. "Unbelievable," he said. This is what Sgroi has been waiting for.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 Memphis picked again to participate in Small Business Administration program (The Commercial Appeal) The free program is aimed at small inner-city companies that demonstrate above-average potential for growth and increased job opportunities.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 House passes business booster plan (The State) Nikki Haley, R-Lexington, a candidate for governor, pleaded for more time to study the bill before voting on it, moving to table it until next week. That motion failed. Rep.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 'Work Ready' kicks off to help economy (Chattanooga Times/Free Press) Employers receive $250 for each Work Ready individual hired, up to five new employees, said Debra Lyons, director of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development. Ms. Lyons said the Georgia Work Ready program -- aimed at developing the state's work force -- already has elements in place to...    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 Nontraditional lending sources are stepping up to meet the need created when big banks refuse to make small loans to small businesses (Star Tribune) Six banks refused to lend money to expand his company, despite a solid loan history. It's really frustrating."MEDA and the UIP are two of several nontraditional sources opening their purses to small Minnesota businesses. MEDA, based in Minneapolis, lent a combined $1.2 million to 12...    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 Start your small business by making sales (USA Today) Let's face it: It's a lot more fun to plan a business than to make a sales call. Register for Rhonda's free business tips at www.PlanningShop.com. Copyright Rhonda Abrams 2010.Yahoo!    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Columbia Gas program pays for energy efficiency (The Columbus Dispatch) Customers seeking the rebate need to use a contractor that has signed up with Columbia.    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Text: Obama's Remarks on Health Care (New York Times) Health insurance is becoming more expensive by the day. I believe it's time to give the American people more control over their health care and their health insurance. The insurance reforms rest on everybody having access to coverage.    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Report (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Henschke said. "It's being extended up to 120 days. Henschke said. "The results were very consistent regardless of the size of the business. Their biggest challenges are health care costs and taxes.    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Bill to raise $371 million for state clears House panel (Lexington Herald-Leader) ...budget and suspending for two years a tax provision that lets businesses deduct net operating losses over 20 years. The acceleration of sales tax payments would generate $90 million in the second year of the budget -- which begins July 1, 2011. Not allowing businesses to deduct losses for two...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Health costs top business woes (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) SMC represents about 5,000 businesses throughout western and central Pennsylvania. About 71 percent of the 250 businesses that responded to the survey said health care costs were their biggest challenge. The company operates Advanced Mining Service, which repairs and sells coal mining equipment....    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Haitian-American firm lands Haiti cleanup contract (The Miami Herald) This type of award allows USAID "to move quickly in Haiti relief efforts while ensuring that we are partnering with smaller organizations." The top U.S. military commander in Haiti, Lt.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Columbia Gas offers small businesses rebates for energy-efficiency improvements (The Columbus Dispatch) ...receive rebates for improving energy efficiency under a program begun this week by Columbia Gas of Ohio. With this initiative, called Small Business Energy Solutions, companies can recover some of the costs of a new furnace, new insulation and sealing air leaks, among other things. "Since...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 House could vote Thursday on jobs bill (The Hill) House leaders have since pledged to find a way to offset that cost, said Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), a senior Blue Dog.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 What States and Cities Are Doing to Help Small Businesses (New York Times) Louis County, had heard complaints from owners who could not get bank loans, so he decided to spearhead a new small-business loan program called Boost. Louis-based financial services firm, Edward Jones, will announce its winners in June. The GrowFL program helps established companies identify new...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Obama's closing argument on health-care reform (Washington Post) Health insurance is becoming more expensive by the day. More small businesses will be forced to choose between health care and hiring. And all new money generated in this plan would go back to small businesses and middle-class families who can’t afford health insurance.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Lake suspends road impact fees for a year (The Orlando Sentinel) Lake County commissioners, trying desperately to jumpstart the local economy and remove a pricey obstacle for new businesses, voted Tuesday to suspend transportation impact fees for a year. Lake joins Brevard and Marion counties as area governments that have shelved the fees, which raise money...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Small business makes for a big job: For those who dream of setting up their own businesses in order to set up their own life-friendly schedules take note (The Miami Herald) It's just not realistic, Zamek said. Starting a business means you need to be extremely focused in order to have some work/life balance. Once you hire staffers, use them, and teach them how to take on tasks, Sastre says. She considers it crucial to work/life balance and business growth. "Your...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Business leaders see hopeful economic signs (The Providence Journal) When asked how Rhode Island compares with other states and regions in attracting, retaining and expanding businesses, 83 percent of them said the state was worse. But it could be a long time before they start expanding their work forces.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 BofA puts 1 boss over cards and deposits (The Charlotte Observer) In her new role, she will have offices in Charlotte and Wilmington, Del., where the credit and debit card business will continue to be based. New legislation and regulation restrict the fees and interest rates banks can charge in areas such as credit cards and overdraft protection. Bank of...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Florida passes bill giving extra benefits to some (Sun Sentinel) Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, in her support of the bill. Rep. Due to the state's insolvent unemployment insurance trust fund and an increase in wages taxed, the minimum rate for employers is scheduled to go from $8.40 to $100.30 per employee per year. Florida's unemployment trust fund became...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Tulsa officials explore all-day road construction possibility (Tulsa World) ...projects, 31 arterial street projects and 79 nonarterial projects, along with money for routine and preventive maintenance across the city and other transportation needs such as bridges, sidewalks, trails and railroad crossings. The Fix Our Streets initiative will be paid for with general...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Bank of America merges consumer units (The Charlotte Observer) In her new role as deposits and card product executive, she will have dual offices in Charlotte and Wilmington, Del., where the card business will continue to be based. New legislation and regulation restrict the fees and interest rates banks can charge in areas such as credit cards and overdraft...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Giving away time, services doesn't always pay for entrepreneurs (The Miami Herald) Some businesses can't afford to hire service professionals now, but hold the possibility of doing so in the future. Hilda Mitrani, a marketing consultant, spent weeks courting a real estate company only to learn it was postponing hiring her. She can be reached at balancegal@gmail.com.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Area businesses receive U.S. Chamber of Commerce award (The Knoxville News-Sentinel) The nominees are past winners of the Knoxville Chamber's Pinnacle Business Award and met U.S. Chamber criteria. â??We're thrilled to have these members recognized nationally. Seven Blue Ribbon businesses will be named finalists, one from each U.S. region, on March 15.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Staples Posts Lower Profit and Offers Muted Outlook (New York Times) Consumers responded well to deals on laptops and other technology products and discounts on ink and paper, he said.Fourth-quarter profit dropped partly on one-time charges. Earnings fell 18 percent to $233.9 million, or 32 cents per share, for the period ended Jan. 30. Analysts expect $1.40 per...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 EDITORIAL: Public Square (Richmond Times-Dispatch) Tax incentives for businesses that create jobs in Virginia. And people wanted to come to Virginia just because it was Virginia. Virginia has a lot to offer. Bolling: We want to grow Virginia businesses.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Jobless tax hike looms for employers (The Providence Journal) As the jobless rate has climbed, demand for benefits has risen, draining the fund. Jim Douglas, in his State of the State address in January, proposed "a modest reduction in benefits" coupled with a phased-in tax increase on employers. In Rhode Island, state Rep. Steven M. Costantino,...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 GOP health plan takes small steps (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) But it also can be the equivalent of one year's increase in premiums. That raises the cost of insurance, driving many people, particularly those who are young, out of the market. Selling insurance across state lines would give them the option of buying cheaper policies. People with health...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 HSBC sees loss in U. S., profits rise at parent (The Buffalo News) The total balance in its "run-off" portfolio of loans in businesses that they are not continuing fell by another $22 billion to $79 billion. Similarly, its pre-tax loss narrowed to $226 million from a loss of $2.61 billion in 2008.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 FACE TIME (Washington Post) Small Business Loans, Small Business Administration Loan Program. Kelley Drye partners will discuss defense strategies. 8 to 10 a.m., Tower Club, 8000 Towers Crescent Dr., 17th floor, Vienna. Contact: Alexandra Meaza, dcevents@kelleydrye.comor 202-342-8400.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 BRIEF (El Paso Times) ...-- EL PASO -- Small Business Administration experts will have a Web chat on federal contracting Thursday. Karen Hontz, office of Government Contracting and Business Development, and Pam Swilling, office of Surety Guarantees at the U.S. Small Business Administration, will answer questions on...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 State's Mom-And-Pop Loan Plans Are Misguided (The Hartford Courant) I figured Seattle has software, Raleigh has bioscience and we have dry cleaners. Chantha Ngy stood behind bulletproof glass, her 2-year-old granddaughter nearby. Neighborhoods are better for it. But does this mean lending to neighborhood micro-businesses like dry cleaners, tailors, florists and...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 St. Petersburg Times, Fla., Robert Trigaux column (St. Petersburg Times) The Clearwater businessman, who makes the Instant-Off water-saving device for faucets, has received many messages of support. That's one reason Gordon ran for mayor of St. Gordon also pitched his faucet invention at the recent Discovery Channel invention competition in Tampa for a chance to be on...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Misdials help 'crammers' ring up millions in phone bill scam (Washington Post) By then, a crammer had already set up a scam. Companies called billing aggregators help them get the charges on bills. And the big phone companies look the other way, consumer advocates say.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Santa Clara County group unveils health care plan for uninsured workers (San Jose Mercury News) Money is there for the taking." Healthy Workers "is the decent, humane thing to do," he said. "I think they're doing the right thing. The cost to the worker will be $75 a month; for the employer, the cost will be $150 a month per employee. The community's share is in the form of a discounted...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Manpower, money flow to D.C. regulators (The Kansas City Star) Testifying at the hearing, Smith pleaded, "This agency is a cop. ...They should act like one. The rules were implemented in the Clinton administration but immediately tossed out by Bush regulators. And last summer it told consumers to stop using Zicam Cold products, acting on reported problems...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Forum offers financing tips (The Miami Herald) ACCION will look at an applicant's experience in the industry, cash-flow projections, back-up income, personal credit and the industry of the business. You get introduced, said Hacker, who has helped raise more than $1 billion for companies. Check out university entrepreneurship centers, small...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 4 start-up mistakes you must avoid (USA Today) I was wondering if there are any typical mistakes that you see start-ups make that I can avoid. Steven D. Strauss is a lawyer, author and speaker who specializes in small business and entrepreneurship. His latest book is The Small Business Bible.    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Credit unions: Lift cap on small-business loans (USA Today) But banks say it would give the tax-exempt credit unions an unfair advantage.Credit unions are non-profit cooperatives owned by members, such as employees or community residents. Raising it, he adds, would worsen a pricing edge credit unions enjoy because of their tax-exempt status.Mica argues...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 The Cost of Doing Nothing on Health Care (New York Times) Those higher costs will translate into higher premiums, which will mean fewer individuals and businesses will be able to afford insurance coverage. Spending so much on health care is “really a waste of people’s money,” Mr. But few policy analysts think Congress can afford to do absolutely...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Bert Caldwell column (The Spokesman-Review) Bert Caldwell Feb. 28, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Consumers finally got some relief from abusive credit card practices last week. Competition, which should drive fees down, instead has pushed them higher. Besides, they say, merchants and restaurants will absorb...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 OPINION (The Spokesman-Review) Anthem Blue Cross of California is jacking up premiums as much as 39 percent this year. In turn, costs per enrollee rise, which forces premiums higher. All across the country, business owners, workers and government officials are facing the heat from high health care costs.    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 The San Diego Union-Tribune, Dean Calbreath column (The San Diego Union-Tribune) Since 2000, profits at the 10 biggest insurers have jumped 250 percent, sometimes through cutting services to customers. Including Braly, the top five executives at WellPoint took in $20.1 million in compensation last year. Except at Cigna, whose retiring CEO was replaced by a cheaper newcomer,...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Oklahoma officials focus on film rebate (The Daily Oklahoman) Lawmakers last year increased the film rebate to 35 percent, up from 15 percent. Producers can get an additional 2 percent rebate if they use Oklahoma music in their films. We're getting some good filmmakers in who can get some savings from the rebates." Simpson said she's proud of the...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Female entrepreneurs focus of March business seminar in Oklahoma City (The Daily Oklahoman) ...will share her business experiences and insight along with more than two dozen other national and state business experts and company owners, said Nola Miyasaki, director of the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University. The center is...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Small businesses increasingly turn to credit unions (The Boston Globe) In a credit union, they are volunteers. You've said credit unions generally offer better rates than banks. Why?Credit unions don't pay their directors, and banks do. HarborOne Credit Union, which is about $1.8 billion in Brockton.    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 The push to BUY LOCAL (El Paso Times) I don't want that to happen to us." What is happening in the wholesale food supply business in El Paso is typical across the country. UTEP is in the midst of a multiyear food services contract with Sodexo, an international company. Local and national food suppliers routinely bid, Lopez said.    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 SBA chief hopes for stimulus cash boost (El Paso Times) ...a small business or own a small business, and this community gets that," Olivarez said. The El Paso chambers of commerce and El Paso bankers are providing support for small businesses, she said. That impressed her, Olivarez said. The SBA used $500 million in stimulus money to remove...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Local start-up thriving in spite of slowed economy (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Today, Vigano's company, Circuits LLC, employs 12 people. "Starting a new manufacturing business in Western Pennsylvania during a recession may sound far fetched to a lot of people. It sure got me a few raised eyebrows and polite smiles," said Vigano.    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 EDITORIAL (San Jose Mercury News) It's designed for small businesses that employ from two to 50 workers. Health care is the No. 1 issue for California's small business owners because they want to provide insurance for their workers but often can't because of the skyrocketing cost. Given the state of the economy today, the number...    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 Pasco County business digest (St. Petersburg Times) TBA is a professional association supporting businesses and professionals in the Trinity area. Members work together to expand and promote business opportunities. For information, call (727) 842-7651. --A Country Concert, featuring Luke Bryan, will be March 27 at Sims Park, 6341 Bank St., New...    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 Small businesses pack Super Bowl workshop (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) ...pie. Besides what's run by the NFL and Host Committee, "there are a whole lot of events that are happening that we do not control," said Tisha Ford, the NFL's manager of events business development. Party Planners West, a Los Angeles event planner that organizes the big NFL Tailgate, NFL...    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 Inland businesses split over impact of Senate jobs bill (The Press-Enterprise) Inland Southern California has lost an estimated 140,000 jobs in that time, and the 14 percent unemployment rate in Riverside and San Bernardino counties is one of the nation's highest. Opinions are divided whether a one-year break on payroll taxes would make a huge difference. The Congressional...    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 BRIEF: Business event: SCORE (Sun Sentinel) Cindy Kent Feb. 26, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- This Saturday, it's all about your business.    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 Small businesses challenged in recovery, federal official says (Dayton Daily News) ...a more robust pace of job creation," Pianalto said. Light demand has continued to vex businesses. Recent surveys have indicated small businesses view a lack of sales as a bigger worry than government red tape or taxes, she said. Getting or keeping credit remains a problem for small...    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 Regulators: Strict bank rules don't impede lending (USA Today) Barney Frank, head of the House Financial Services Committee, urged the administration to work with Rep.    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 Small businessman says R.I. 'Amazon law' hurts him (The Providence Journal) Similar provisions are under review in California and elsewhere. In Rhode Island, proponents of the law, including state Rep. But he said, "The remote sellers are using small [online] businesses as pawns" in the dispute. The law generally says that if an online retailer has an affiliation with a...    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 Recovery loans dissatisfy small-business owners, lenders, even a federal official (The Dallas Morning News) SBA's Stamler recently said the recovery loan default rate could be lower.Instead, Southwest Securities has expanded its traditional SBA lending to help businesses not "temporarily impaired," Green said. It loaned $52 million in 2009, up about 30 percent from 2008. Loans totaling about $26...    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 Local woman wins national award for entrepreneurs (The Charlotte Observer) The economy was slumping, and credit dried up for many small businesses. This year's contracts already equal last year's total, Stevens said.    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 Small businesses pack Super Bowl workshop (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) ...pie. Besides what's run by the NFL and Host Committee, "there are a whole lot of events that are happening that we do not control," said Tisha Ford, the NFL's manager of events business development. Party Planners West, a Los Angeles event planner that organizes the big NFL Tailgate, NFL...    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 In the face of change, reinvent your small business (USA Today) But the printed book industry will never be the same.At the Tools of Change for Publishing conference, that message had taken hold. Another speaker, Dominique Raccah of SourceBooks, addressed exactly the question of how do you run, essentially, two businesses. Copyright Rhonda Abrams 2010.Yahoo!    more...  

Feb 26, 2010 Theft-proofing your identity (The Boston Globe) Frank Vincentelli, chief technology officer of Integrated IT Solutions Inc. in Waltham, helps small and midsize businesses upgrade their computer systems to comply with the law. Vincentelli said that the cost of compliance can vary greatly, depending on the number of employees and customers a...    more...  

Feb 25, 2010 If you have Comcast, TV sets will need adapter box (The Florida Times-Union) You will see this on Comcast, DirecTV, DishNetwork, wherever. The purpose of QAM tuners was to mimic cable boxes and allow unencrypted channels to be picked up by the QAM tuner. Never watch SD again. Now if Comcast will only split service into a SD package and a HD package.    more...  

Feb 25, 2010 Are Trade Shows a Waste of Time? (New York Times) Yes, there are trade shows for picture framing. Last month, I went to the national frame and art show in Las Vegas. Both shows have gotten smaller over the years, and several other shows have been discontinued.    more...  

Feb 25, 2010 Blogging the Health Care Summit (New York Times) Alexander is trying to jump back in and Mr. Alexander said, borrowing a favorite line of Mr. Alexander said.He urged Mr.    more...  

Feb 25, 2010 The Hartford Courant, Conn., Rick Green column: Rob Simmons Walks An Interesting Path On Jobs Creation Issue (The Hartford Courant) The jobs measure passed the Senate by a 70-28 vote Wednesday. A McMahon aide told me she would have supported the bill. Simmons says he instead supports "a real payroll tax cut." Much of this is undoubtedly about Democrats trying to portray Republicans as opposing everything, including job...    more...  

Feb 25, 2010 Denish Exhorts Small Business (Albuquerque Journal) It's about jobs for your neighbors, It's about jobs for other people.    more...  

Feb 25, 2010 Stepping ahead on growth (Chattanooga Times/Free Press) White said plans are to create a one-stop shop for real estate brokers, businesses, building owners, site selectors and developers. White said RiverCity is aiming to set up a bi-monthly urban design forum to address downtown design challenges. Additionally, efforts to redevelop the 700 block of...    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Business owners get help tool (Tulsa World) So this is where we need to be focused right now," Hegle said. U.S. SourceLink evolved from KCSourceLink, which was launched in metro Kansas City in 2003.    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Yelp Is Sued After Dispute Over a Review (New York Times) The lawsuit says Yelp refused and instead demanded “roughly $300 per month” in exchange for Yelp hiding or completely removing the review in question. The allegations are demonstrably false, since many businesses that advertise on Yelp have both negative and positive reviews. These businesses...    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Made in Atlanta: Suwanee company bends metal (Atlanta Journal Constitution) But the company offers other lessons, too: to be persistent, nimble and diverse, yet willing to specialize.In at least one stark way, Winton Machine is unlike most companies in metro Atlanta. We were making something,” Winton said. “We couldn’t be here today without the SBA loan. Not far...    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Senate approves tax breaks for new hires (USA Today) WASHINGTON (AP) Companies that hire unemployed people would claim new tax breaks under a jobs-promoting bill the Senate passed Wednesday, delivering President Obama and Democrats a much-needed victory. The 70-28 vote sends the bill back to the House, which passed a far more costly measure in...    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 The Miami Herald Cindy Krischer Goodman column (The Miami Herald) Cindy Krischer Goodman Feb. 24, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- A year ago, I would have called myself a journalist. He is a commercial photographer and he sells and rents video conferencing equipment. Hilda Mitrani, a marketing consultant, spent weeks courting a...    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Merchants want Congress to take a swipe at 'swipe fees' (CNN) And this is for all people," Lipert said. With the new credit card bill going into effect this week, some experts predict higher interchange fees as companies emphasize cards that give rewards for purchases. Other proposals in Congress include setting or limiting fees; requiring more disclosure;...    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Yes, fight against that big store, but not in the way you think (USA Today) Gladys EdmundsHi, Gladys, I own a medium-size grocery store, which my father started many years ago. Gourmet specialty food and ethnic grocery stores will always have a place in the market. They happen to be situated between two giant grocery stores.    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Bill McClellan column: Shift in health costs could power hiring (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) He worked at a repair shop. They started the transmission business in her garage. Workers' compensation was another concern. Olsson pulled out a spreadsheet. Couldn't the shop absorb another $250 or $300? Olsson shrugged.    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Businesses are told that social media can't be ignored (The Commercial Appeal) Don't be afraid to get out there and tell your story.    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Letters: Increasing premiums show need for health care reform (USA Today) Increasing premiums show need for health care reform John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO, Small Business Majority - Sausalito, Calif. Health care premiums reflect the ballooning medical costs. We also need to tackle tort reform to lower useless costs, and to dramatically simplify insurance paperwork.    more...  

Feb 24, 2010 Small Business: Miami conference offers glimpse of new online tools (The Miami Herald) Out of the audience of 350, many traveled to come to this conference, including Stephen Evans, chief technology officer for Canadian media company Canoe.ca.    more...  

Feb 23, 2010 Economic Scene: On Eve of Health Meeting, Big Questions Still Linger (New York Times) Obama is proposing a government takeover of health care. I was wrong about the health care bill.’ ”Mr. Obama and Congressional Democrats from adding more Republican ideas to their health plan — and not just fig leaves.    more...  

Feb 23, 2010 Small businesses slow to hire (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) But, again, Toder points to extenuating circumstances, such as the rise in oil prices in 1979. John Beidle, the owner of 1040 Wealth Designs, a St. Louis tax planning firm and the founder of the St. Louis. "But they're still not hiring." Missouri Gov.    more...  

Feb 23, 2010 San Bernardino County to refund fees to restaurants (The Press-Enterprise) Supervisors Paul Biane and Brad Mitzelfelt said they would like the revised ordinance to exempt businesses that store only a small amount of carbon dioxide. Supervisors did not realize a new fee was included when it was approved with the Fire Department fee schedule in July, said Scott Vanhorne,...    more...  

Feb 23, 2010 Face Time: Washington area business seminars (Washington Post) Sponsor: Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling & Career Center. Sponsor: Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling & Career Center. Sponsor: Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling & Career Center.    more...  

Feb 23, 2010 Multicultural Chamber overcoming cuts (Chattanooga Times/Free Press) Members include small and minority-owned businesses from Chattanooga as well as businesses from North Georgia and Knoxville.    more...  

Feb 23, 2010 Recovery loans dissatisfy small-business owners, lenders, even a federal official (The Dallas Morning News) SBA's Stamler recently said the recovery loan default rate could be lower. Instead, Southwest Securities has expanded its traditional SBA lending to help businesses not "temporarily impaired," Green said. It loaned $52 million in 2009, up about 30 percent from 2008. Loans totaling about $26...    more...