|
| |
Gov Riley Headlines Chamber in Session May 26
|
|
| |
Mark your calendars now for the next Chamber in Session, sponsored by Tanner & Guin, on Wed, May 26 from 11:30am-1pm at Hotel Capstone for a special program featuring Governor Bob Riley. Reservations are required. Cost is $25/person. You can register by calling 391.0559 or online at www.tuscaloosachamber.com. We need a full house for Governor Riley. Please encourage your associates, colleagues and clients to attend! All Chamber board members are urged to be in attendance.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
2010 Regular Session of Alabama Legislature Ends
|
|
| |
After 30 legislative days filled with emotion and tension, the gavel fell ending the 2010 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature, bringing to an end the quadrennial that began in 2006. This paves the way for major changes in the upcoming elections, from the Governor’s office through the legislature. Efforts were already beginning on the last day to find a new House Speaker, after Speaker Seth Hammett presided over his last session of the House.
From a business perspective, the outcome of this session was a success without a single bill that could have negative impact on Alabama’s business community passed into law. A lot of credit and applause goes to those business leaders involved in the Regular Session through various business organizations, local chambers of commerce and the Business Council of Alabama.
$1 Billion Road & Bridge Program Passed
It’s now up to Alabama voters to decide whether a $1 billion, 10-year road and bridge construction program will be undertaken. SB 120, a proposed constitution amendment that authorizes the withdrawal of $100 million annually for 10 years from the Alabama Trust Fund to make improvements in the state’s infrastructure, will be placed on the ballot for a vote.
Bill Enacted to Provide Tax Incentives for Job Creation
HB 260, sponsored by Tuscaloosa’s Robert Bentley, was signed into law. Known as the “Reemployment Act of 2010”, it provides tax deductions for job creation for tax years 2011 and 2012.
Chamber Supports & Accomplished its Two Legislative Priorities
...the right to vote on Sunday sales and the “red light” safety bill. Working with and in support of the City of Tuscaloosa, these two important legislative acts were signed into law during the regular session.
Some Bills Die in the Regular Session
Among bills that did not make it through the 2010 Regular Session included: immigration bills that would have had a negative impact on businesses; "card check" legislation; bill to remove grocery sales tax and phase out federal income tax deductions for individuals and small businesses; charter school legislation; and a “stealth” unemployment compensation bill.
The 2011 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature will convene on Mar 8, 2011
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
Congressional Issues
|
|
| |
Health Care
The new health care reform legislation, signed into law by President Barack Obama, continues to create more questions than answers for business owners and employers. As employers begin to implement these sweeping changes, many businesses are surrounded and perplexed by questions how to comply with the new health care provisions and how to afford them.
One good source of information and assistance is the “Health Care Reform Initiative Toolbox” located on the Business Council of Alabama’s website at www.bcatoday.org. Check for up-to-date info.
Be aware of climate change legislation–SJ Resolution 26 & HJ Resolution 76
These resolutions would reject and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finding that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare and therefore should be regulated by the EPA. EPA regulation of greenhouse gases could impose federal permitting requirements on millions of businesses, restrict fuel choices and energy use, and require expensive installation of new equipment for businesses of all sizes.
Financial Regulatory Reform
This is a wide-ranging bill (S 3217) that would create a new independent consumer financial regulator that would reduce access to credit for businesses and consumers. It also would give labor unions and other narrow interest shareholders the power to leverage their agendas at the expense of the shareholders through a so-called proxy access provision and would effectively create a permanent bailout fund for failing institutions.
Protecting the Clean Air Act–SJ Res 26 & H J Res 76
These resolutions would halt the EPA’s efforts to expand the Clean Air Act beyond its intended boundaries. Watch for details coming soon.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
About the Agenda and Public Affairs Council
|
|
| |
The Agenda is a service of the Governmental Affairs Division of The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. The objective is to keep you, our members, informed about public policy and legislative issues at local, state and national levels; and to encourage our members to get involved in issues that impact business and our overall community. We trust this will be helpful to you and request that you let us know the issues and concerns that you have concerning public policy.
The Chamber’s Public Affairs Council is the key volunteer-driven committee that assists and coordinates our efforts to influence public and legislative agendas and provides the leadership to stay informed and in-touch with elected officials at all levels of government. The Public Affairs Council meets each month on the 2nd Mon at 4pm at The Chamber. You are invited to join us.
|
|
|
Top
|
|
|
