uschamber.com Magazine October 2003

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• Celebrating Small Business Week
  To commemorate Small Business Week, the U.S. Chamber outlined a small business agenda, hosted a women's health care summit, introduced a new resource for tapping overseas markets, and co-sponsored the Small Business Administration's national conference.
• State of Small Business
  Small businesses drive the nation's economy, according to a new report released by the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Office of Advocacy.
• House Reauthorizes Credit System
  With strong U.S. Chamber support, the House voted overwhelmingly to reauthorize the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which will give businesses and consumers greater financing options, reinforce America's economic infrastructure, and protect consumers.
• Overtime Reform Blocked by Senate
  The U.S. Chamber sharply criticized senators for passage of the Harkin Amendment, which blocks the Department of Labor's (DOL's) reforms to overtime pay regulations.
• Transportation Funding Sought
  Businesses, small and large, require a transportation infrastructure that is well maintained to ship their products and that allows customers to visit their establishments with minimal traffic delays and congestion.
• Chamber Outlines Fall Agenda
  With Congress back in session, the U.S. Chamber has doubled its efforts to pass important legislation that would benefit small business.
• Hiring People With Disabilities
  To commemorate National Disability Employment Month, the U.S. Chamber's Center for Workforce Preparation (CWP) organized a special webcast program on September 11, Making the Case: The Nuts and Bolts of Hiring People With Disabilities.
• Economy Looking Up
  GThe economy is finally ready to create jobs," declared U.S. Chamber Vice President and Chief Economist Martin Regalia at the Chamber's annual Labor Day briefing with reporters at the lobbying group's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
• Health Care Costs Soar
  Despite a third successive year of double-digit rate increases for health benefits, employers remain committed to providing affordable health care for their employees, according to the U.S. Chamber.
• Chamber Blocks Fax Rule
  With the help of thousands of its small business member and dozens of association allies, the U.S. Chamber temporarily blocked a FCC rule strictly regulating communications between associations and businesses and their constituents.
• Tech Tools: Protecting Your Business Against Viruses
  How to protect your computers before the next virus sweeps the Internet.
• ECON 101: Growth Accelerates, but Where are the Jobs?
  Martin Regalia discusses the ecomic growth and its relation to creating jobs and lowering unemployment rates.
• Face Off: Has the Economy Turned the Corner?
  Has the economy turned the corner? Assistant Secretary Pam Olson and Representative Pete Stark debate Bush's economic policies.
• Small Business Matters: Providing Leadership and Direction
  Show me an employee that gives 110%, and I will show you a manager who knows how to inspire his or her workers.
• Success Insight: Overcoming Estimating Errors
  Because of mistakes made by an estimator, Smock Fansler Construction Corp was saddled with several projects that lost about $1 million. How could anyone be prepared for a loss of this scale?
• Working For You: Stefanie Starkey
  Stefanie Starkey directs U.S. Chamber policy on economic issues including privatization, procurement, and antitrust.