House GOP tax plan would allow Americans to deduct property taxes
House Republican leaders are making last-minute changes to their tax bill in an attempt to win over skeptical members within their own party, crafting a provision that would allow Americans to deduct their local property taxes from their federal taxable income.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) had planned for months to prohibit people from deducting any state or local taxes from their federal taxable income as part of a sweeping overhaul of tax rules, but huge pushback from Republicans in states such as New York and New Jersey precipitated the change.
Discussions are ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the change will placate the holdouts. Currently, taxpayers who itemize their deductions can write off their property taxes and also choose to deduct either their state and local income or sales taxes. Read more: Washington Post
OneZone Blog: What We Learned on Our Quick Trip to D.C.
by Dan Canan, OneZone Executive Vice President
Last week, more than 95 Indiana business leaders hopped on planes to our nation’s capital and spent two days as part of the Indiana Chamber’s annual fly-in. We went to meet face-to-face with our federal representatives, to get a feel for the political climate in D.C. and to let them know firsthand the issues that concern you, our members, and our business community.
Last week, more than 95 Indiana business leaders hopped on planes to our nation’s capital and spent two days as part of the Indiana Chamber’s annual fly-in. We went to meet face-to-face with our federal representatives, to get a feel for the political climate in D.C. and to let them know firsthand the issues that concern you, our members, and our business community.
In preparation for the trip, OneZone conducted a survey – you may have answered it if you clicked the link in In the Zone – to find out what issues impact your business, what keeps you up at night. Based on the responses, I went ready to talk about healthcare, infrastructure and business taxation.
Senators Todd Young and Joe Donnelly, along with Representatives Susan Brooks, Luke Messer and Trey Hollingsworth, welcomed us and addressed your issues:
Healthcare – Legislation had just failed, so the question we posed was. . .what’s next? The answer? They’ll try again next year. One member of our delegation was very pointed in asking, “When will Republicans and Democrats work together on this issue, because their inaction is having a big impact on their constituent’s health.” We were assured this is a top issue for next year.
Infrastructure – Consensus from the Indiana delegation was that the president should have pushed this agenda forward before healthcare. As they explained, the likelihood of passage in some form is fairly high. Put this big ticket issue in the column for next year, too.
Business Taxation – Ironically, on the day our delegation was flying to D.C., the President (along with the majority of the Indiana Congressional delegation) was traveling to Indiana to talk about personal and corporate taxation. There was agreement that this would probably pass in some form, but that it will require a lot of discussion and analysis. . .which generally means, don’t get in a big hurry.
Whether we like what is going on in Washington or not, the significant impact on our lives and businesses is immense. Speaking directly to our representatives on all levels is crucial in helping them understand what the issues look like from where we stand. The more contact our representatives have with all of us, the better.
Have an issue? Be sure to let us know. But also take the time to email or call your representatives. Because. . .we can all make a difference.
Click here for contact information on your federal representatives. Read more: OneZone Commerce
#BestChamber Training: Marion Chamber: "How to use DiSC Profile to build productive teams."
October Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, October 25
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
The Pavilion
1602 Sioux Drive
Marion , IL 62959
Click Here to Register
Eat, learn, discuss & grow!
Raise your leadership and connect with others in a fun learning environment!
The October Lunch & Learn will be held on October 25 from noon - 1 p.m. at The Pavilion. The topic will be "How to use DiSC Profile to build productive teams."
The October Lunch & Learn will be presented by Jennifer Gutierrez. She is an expert leader in
corporate training and coaching. She has worked for top Fortune 500 companies and successfully operated multimillion dollar businesses over the last decade.
The Marion Chamber of Commerce will host a Lunch & Learn each month in 2017 as part of the Leadership Marion program.
In a brief amount of time, you will receive the best leadership principles, interact with other growing leaders, and discuss how to apply effective practices to your organization. After each Lunch & Learn, you will walk away with at least one mind changing idea that will create a desire for motivation and self-improvement. This is the perfect professional development opportunity to increase levels of influence and potential in yourself and in the teams you lead.
The Lunch and Learn programs will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month beginning January 25 (Nov. 15 and Dec. 13 classes are exceptions) from noon to 1 pm at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Classroom 1 (except February, April, June and October classes are held at The Pavilion).
Admission is $15 per Marion Chamber member ($20 for non-Chamber). Lunch and drinks provided courtesy of Heartland Regional Medical Center.
Contact the Marion Chamber at (618) 997-6311 or director@marionillinois.com to secure your seat or for more information.
Facilitator: Russell Williams, Certified Leadership and Personal Growth Coach, Speaker, and Teacher. For more information, visit www.EmpowermentMentor.com/RussellWilliams
Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide
The Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide is available at the chamber of commerce today! Thank you to Philip "Mike" Beard and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Realize your FULL potential!)
Greater Madison Chamber unveils new video showing Madison as 'the next big thing'
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance Moves to New Headquarters
The Alliance is pleased to announce their new address is 300 Lucado Place, Lynchburg, VA 24504. Our headquarters is located off of Fifth and Court Street near downtown Lynchburg.
Senators Todd Young and Joe Donnelly, along with Representatives Susan Brooks, Luke Messer and Trey Hollingsworth, welcomed us and addressed your issues:
Healthcare – Legislation had just failed, so the question we posed was. . .what’s next? The answer? They’ll try again next year. One member of our delegation was very pointed in asking, “When will Republicans and Democrats work together on this issue, because their inaction is having a big impact on their constituent’s health.” We were assured this is a top issue for next year.
Infrastructure – Consensus from the Indiana delegation was that the president should have pushed this agenda forward before healthcare. As they explained, the likelihood of passage in some form is fairly high. Put this big ticket issue in the column for next year, too.
Business Taxation – Ironically, on the day our delegation was flying to D.C., the President (along with the majority of the Indiana Congressional delegation) was traveling to Indiana to talk about personal and corporate taxation. There was agreement that this would probably pass in some form, but that it will require a lot of discussion and analysis. . .which generally means, don’t get in a big hurry.
Whether we like what is going on in Washington or not, the significant impact on our lives and businesses is immense. Speaking directly to our representatives on all levels is crucial in helping them understand what the issues look like from where we stand. The more contact our representatives have with all of us, the better.
Have an issue? Be sure to let us know. But also take the time to email or call your representatives. Because. . .we can all make a difference.
Click here for contact information on your federal representatives. Read more: OneZone Commerce
#BestChamber Training: Marion Chamber: "How to use DiSC Profile to build productive teams."
October Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, October 25
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
The Pavilion
1602 Sioux Drive
Marion , IL 62959
Click Here to Register
Eat, learn, discuss & grow!
Raise your leadership and connect with others in a fun learning environment!
The October Lunch & Learn will be held on October 25 from noon - 1 p.m. at The Pavilion. The topic will be "How to use DiSC Profile to build productive teams."
The October Lunch & Learn will be presented by Jennifer Gutierrez. She is an expert leader in
corporate training and coaching. She has worked for top Fortune 500 companies and successfully operated multimillion dollar businesses over the last decade.
The Marion Chamber of Commerce will host a Lunch & Learn each month in 2017 as part of the Leadership Marion program.
In a brief amount of time, you will receive the best leadership principles, interact with other growing leaders, and discuss how to apply effective practices to your organization. After each Lunch & Learn, you will walk away with at least one mind changing idea that will create a desire for motivation and self-improvement. This is the perfect professional development opportunity to increase levels of influence and potential in yourself and in the teams you lead.
The Lunch and Learn programs will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month beginning January 25 (Nov. 15 and Dec. 13 classes are exceptions) from noon to 1 pm at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Classroom 1 (except February, April, June and October classes are held at The Pavilion).
Admission is $15 per Marion Chamber member ($20 for non-Chamber). Lunch and drinks provided courtesy of Heartland Regional Medical Center.
Contact the Marion Chamber at (618) 997-6311 or director@marionillinois.com to secure your seat or for more information.
Facilitator: Russell Williams, Certified Leadership and Personal Growth Coach, Speaker, and Teacher. For more information, visit www.EmpowermentMentor.com/RussellWilliams
Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide
The Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide is available at the chamber of commerce today! Thank you to Philip "Mike" Beard and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Realize your FULL potential!)
“Most people live whether physically, intellectually or morally, in a very restricted circle of their potential being”. - William James
Greater Madison Chamber unveils new video showing Madison as 'the next big thing'
A new video aimed at recruiting people to come to Madison to work and live wowed the crowd at the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Wednesday night.
The 56-second video is a 360-degree view of the city, from the lakes and from the air, showcasing Madison as a place of innovation, activity and beauty.
“Meet Madison,” it begins, inviting “seekers,” “wayfarers,” and the “restless who thirst for something new” and shows scenes of the science, art, nature, food and culture found here.
The video invites viewers to “get in on ingenuity and invention,” and closes with: “Madison. Ground level for the next big thing.”
Madison as “the next big thing” was the theme of the Chamber’s 65th annual dinner at Monona Terrace.
Chamber president Zach Brandon said the video was the result of 18 months of research to find out what others, outside of the area, think of Madison. Studies of 500 people, conducted with BrainJuicer, showed 70 percent have no opinion of Madison. That makes it hard for employers to get people to move here, Brandon said.
So the Chamber set out to have a video put together, through the efforts of the Lindsay Stone & Briggs advertising agency using clips from local photographers; animation by Tilt Media; and Arch Virtual, of Oregon, Wisconsin, and Aspect Media, Baraboo, turned the video into a 360-degree virtual reality presentation.
It is accessible at madi.sn
“Use it to recruit talent to your organization. We built it for you,” Brandon told the 1,000 business and community leaders attending the Chamber dinner.
Brandon also said the Chamber will debut a new website this fall. “We are truly breaking the mold,” he said.
Brandon showed the video after keynote speaker Eric Weiner, an author and veteran news correspondent, told the crowd that Madison does not have to be another Silicon Valley to be successful. Read more: Madison.com
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance Moves to New Headquarters
The Alliance is pleased to announce their new address is 300 Lucado Place, Lynchburg, VA 24504. Our headquarters is located off of Fifth and Court Street near downtown Lynchburg.
Also, as you visit the Alliance’s new facility please note parking arrangements:
Visitor parking will be available in the City of Lynchburg parking lot. Enter the building through the main doors located on Lucado Place
· Handicap parking located on the left side of main entrance of our building on Lucado Place
· Delivery parking is located on the left side of main entrance of our building on Lucado Place
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance is the Region’s largest business association, and our government relations programming reflects the interests of our members. For nearly 800 businesses, professionals and organizations in the Lynchburg Region, our mission is to lead regional economic development through: Generating Jobs & Investment; Promoting the Region’s Brand and Image Globally; Cultivating Talent; and Enhancing the Business Climate.
· Handicap parking located on the left side of main entrance of our building on Lucado Place
· Delivery parking is located on the left side of main entrance of our building on Lucado Place
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance is the Region’s largest business association, and our government relations programming reflects the interests of our members. For nearly 800 businesses, professionals and organizations in the Lynchburg Region, our mission is to lead regional economic development through: Generating Jobs & Investment; Promoting the Region’s Brand and Image Globally; Cultivating Talent; and Enhancing the Business Climate.
Please contact: Laverne Brown, Director of Marketing, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance300 Lucado Place|Lynchburg, VA 24504, PHONE 434.845.5968 x14|FAX 434.522.9592
www.LynchburgRegion.org
Monroe Bank & Trust CEO to Keynote Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Business Forum
www.LynchburgRegion.org
Monroe Bank & Trust CEO to Keynote Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Business Forum
– Monroe Bank and Trust CEO, Doug Chaffin will address local business leaders and the public at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Forum breakfast on Monday, November 13 from 8:30 – 10:30 AM at Crystal Gardens in Southgate. The event is open to the public.
Chaffin is the tenth and final speaker for 2017 in the Chamber’s popular Forum series, following leaders such as Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, Downriver’s Wayne County Commissioners, a panel of Downriver’s state representatives and senators, and BIGGBY COFFEE CEO Bob Fish, who headlined the Chamber’s first Business Forum in May. The series is designed to educate, and to promote communication between business and political leaders.
“Mr. Chaffin is a remarkable leader with tremendous talent and wisdom in the banking industry,” commented Ronald J. Hinrichs, president of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity for our members to learn from the success of Monroe Bank and Trust, and to implement these best practices into their own business plan.”
Space is limited and registration is requested for this event. Tickets are $20 each, and can be purchased at www.SWCRC.com, or by calling the Chamber office at 734-284-6000. Tickets are available at the door for $25 per person.
Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County 2017 Community Map
The new Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Tracy Lyons, Chrystal Lee and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Chamber of Commerce serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County Community Map
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County 2017 Community Map
The new Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Tracy Lyons, Chrystal Lee and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Chamber of Commerce serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County Community Map
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
#BestChamber practices: Kyndle Events
- Free small-business and entrepreneur consulting, Murray State University Small Business Development Center, 9 a.m. to Noon most Thursdays, Kyndle office, 136 Second St., Suite 500. Appointment required: 270-926-8085 or ldecker@murraystate.edu.
- Kyndle Brown Bag: Who took my money? The Importance of Understanding Cash Flow: Noon Monday, Kyndle Training Room.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Just Family Adult Day Health Care, 324 North Elm Street.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11:45 a.m. Friday, Ramada Inn, 2044 U.S. 41 North.
- Regional Industry of the Year Awards Luncheon: 11:30 a.m. Oct. 30, Preston Arts Center at Henderson Community College.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 8, Habitat for Humanity & ReStore Shop of Henderson, 1030 Third Street.
- Coffee with Kyndle: Celebration of Education Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 9, Thelma B. Johnson Learning Center.
- Ribbon-cutting: Jessica H. Renaker, DMD, 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 730 N. Green St.
Hobnob: Workforce training touted at MEC annual event
Gov. Phil Bryant brought a clear and direct message to the Mississippi Economic Council’s annual Hobnob event Wednesday.
“I have two words for you – workforce training,” Bryant proclaimed to the crowd of more than 1,200 at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Most all of the state elected officials speaking at the MEC event echoed Bryant’s statements, commenting on the importance workforce training has on the future progress of Mississippi.
“An educated workforce is the backbone of Mississippi,” said House Speaker Philip Gunn. “If Mississippi is going to prosper, we have to have an educated workforce. It is that simple.”
Several of the officials spoke of the large number of job openings that can be found at the Mississippi Works website – more than 40,000.
Bryant said people used to look for jobs, but “now we have jobs looking for people.”
The issue, at least with some of those jobs, is finding people with the skills to perform them.
“We must increase the educational attainment level of our people,” said Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, who touted the efforts the Legislature has made in recent years. He said education must be a priority – pre-kindergarten through adult learning. But he added improvements have been made in recent years in the state’s education programs.
“Do we have challenges?” he asked. “Of course we do, but so does every state in the nation.”
Attorney General Jim Hood, Treasurer Lynn Fitch, Agriculture and Commerce Commission Cindy Hyde-Smith, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann also spoke at the annual event.
Gunn said rewriting the state’s school funding formula, first proposed by Reeves and him last year, needs to be done to ensure high school graduates are ready for a job or to pursue additional educational opportunities. He said the rewrite must provide funding based on the individual needs of each student.
Efforts to rewrite the formula were unsuccessful in the 2017 legislative session. Read more: Daily Journal
- Free small-business and entrepreneur consulting, Murray State University Small Business Development Center, 9 a.m. to Noon most Thursdays, Kyndle office, 136 Second St., Suite 500. Appointment required: 270-926-8085 or ldecker@murraystate.edu.
- Kyndle Brown Bag: Who took my money? The Importance of Understanding Cash Flow: Noon Monday, Kyndle Training Room.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Just Family Adult Day Health Care, 324 North Elm Street.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11:45 a.m. Friday, Ramada Inn, 2044 U.S. 41 North.
- Regional Industry of the Year Awards Luncheon: 11:30 a.m. Oct. 30, Preston Arts Center at Henderson Community College.
- Ribbon Cutting: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 8, Habitat for Humanity & ReStore Shop of Henderson, 1030 Third Street.
- Coffee with Kyndle: Celebration of Education Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 9, Thelma B. Johnson Learning Center.
- Ribbon-cutting: Jessica H. Renaker, DMD, 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 730 N. Green St.
Hobnob: Workforce training touted at MEC annual event
Gov. Phil Bryant brought a clear and direct message to the Mississippi Economic Council’s annual Hobnob event Wednesday.
“I have two words for you – workforce training,” Bryant proclaimed to the crowd of more than 1,200 at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Most all of the state elected officials speaking at the MEC event echoed Bryant’s statements, commenting on the importance workforce training has on the future progress of Mississippi.
“An educated workforce is the backbone of Mississippi,” said House Speaker Philip Gunn. “If Mississippi is going to prosper, we have to have an educated workforce. It is that simple.”
Several of the officials spoke of the large number of job openings that can be found at the Mississippi Works website – more than 40,000.
Bryant said people used to look for jobs, but “now we have jobs looking for people.”
The issue, at least with some of those jobs, is finding people with the skills to perform them.
“We must increase the educational attainment level of our people,” said Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, who touted the efforts the Legislature has made in recent years. He said education must be a priority – pre-kindergarten through adult learning. But he added improvements have been made in recent years in the state’s education programs.
“Do we have challenges?” he asked. “Of course we do, but so does every state in the nation.”
Attorney General Jim Hood, Treasurer Lynn Fitch, Agriculture and Commerce Commission Cindy Hyde-Smith, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann also spoke at the annual event.
Gunn said rewriting the state’s school funding formula, first proposed by Reeves and him last year, needs to be done to ensure high school graduates are ready for a job or to pursue additional educational opportunities. He said the rewrite must provide funding based on the individual needs of each student.
Efforts to rewrite the formula were unsuccessful in the 2017 legislative session. Read more: Daily Journal
Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
