Business Weekly E-Newsletter
September 29- October 3, 2008
State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting, Governor’s Summit Registration Deadline Near
The 80th Annual State Chamber/AIA Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 15, in conjunction with Arkansas Works 2008: The Governor's Summit on Education and Economic Development , whichwill be held October 16. Both events will take place at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. For your convenience, we have scheduled these events back-to-back.
Check-in for the Annual Meeting will begin at 11 a.m. on October 15. For our lunch at noon, we are working on a very exciting program. We are confident that the world-class, keynote speaker will be someone you do not want to miss. Following lunch, we will convene at 1:30 p.m. for the general business session, which will end at 4:30 p.m. During the business session, we will present for approval the State Chamber/AIA 2009 Legislative Agenda. The reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Old State House, will open the Governor’s Summit.
On Thursday, October 16, the Governor’s Summit will begin at 8 a.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center, Governor’s Hall I and II, and will conclude at 3:30 p.m. The Summit will assemble business, education and policy leaders from all 75 counties to develop a vision for every community and the leadership to implement the vision. The Summit has the potential to be an extraordinary gathering. Together we will assess our strengths, define our weaknesses and determine our opportunities. The goal is to draw at least 10 people per county to the Summit.
The registration cost for both the State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting and the Governor’s Summit is $175 or $100 for one event. To register, click here .
Senate Approves Bailout Legislation With Additions.
Following Wednesday night's 74-25 Senate passage of a $700 billion financial rescue bill, media reports suggest the odds have increased that the House will also approve the measure by the end of the week. Yet, "no one really knows," NBC Nightly News reported, "if the idea of a massive $700 billion bailout is the single best thing for what's happening to our country, our economy right now. But the Administration and many others say it is."
The CBS Evening News, however, reported that "House leaders are making no predictions." The House "will likely take it up on Friday, but only, they say, if they have enough votes and so far, that's still not certain."
In a front-page story, the New York Times reports that, spurring passage of the bailout plan was "an array of popular additions," which includes "$150 billion in tax breaks for individuals and businesses."
The Washington Post added on its front page that, though the Senate passed the bill "easily," the legislation "faces a tougher test [Friday] in the House, where leaders will try to reverse the stunning defeat the legislation suffered earlier this week."
Also in a front-page story, the Wall Street Journal explained, "The 10-year, $150.5 billion package of tax proposals includes a measure to ease the bite of the alternative minimum tax, as well as research-and-development tax credits coveted by high-tech companies and drug makers."
USA Today pointed out that the legislation is primarily meant to give "Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson sweeping authority to help troubled financial firms by buying up their shaky assets." Supporters say the plan will "avert a potential economic disaster."
The State Chamber/AIA supports this package and encourages you to support it.
Arkansans FOR the Secret Ballot Holding Meetings in State Next Week
“Arkansans FOR the Secret Ballot—Protect your Privacy at Work,” the coalition formed by the State Chamber/AIA to oppose the proposed federal Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), aka Card Check, is holding outreach meetings next week to educate businesses throughout the state.
Michael Eastman, executive director, Labor Law Policy, and Glenn Spencer, executive director of the Workforce Freedom Initiative, both part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will be in Arkansas to provide presentations on EFCA.
Meetings are scheduled for:
Tuesday, October 7:
10:30 a.m., Monticello Chamber of Commerce
2:30 p.m., Magnolia (location to be determined)
Wednesday, October 8:
9 a.m., Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
3 p.m., Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, October 9:
10 a.m., Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce
2 p.m., Mid-South Community College, Reynolds Center, Room 121, West Memphis
Friday, October 10:
8 a.m., Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
11 a.m., Baldor Electric Company, 5711 R. S. Boreham, Jr., St., Fort Smith
If you are interested in attending any of these meetings, contact Jeff Thatcher ASAP at 501-210-4205 or e-mail him at jthatcher@arkansasstatechamber.com .
Legal Seminars: The State Chamber/AIA is also providing legal guidance to businesses in regard to the union card check legislation in a series of seminars entitled: “Labor Relations in Today’s Economy.” We will begin with seminars on October 8 and 9. The cost will be $40 per person.
The October 8 seminar will be held in the State Chamber/AIA conference room at 1200 W. Capitol Ave. in Little Rock from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will include presentations by Rick Roderick of Cross Gunter Witherspoon And Galchus in Little Rock, Mike Moore of Friday Eldredge & Clark in Little Rock and Spencer Robinson of Ramsey Bridgforth Harrelson & Starling in Pine Bluff.
The October 9 seminar will be held at the Springdale Holiday Inn and Convention Center located at 1500 South 48th Street in Springdale from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. It will include presentations by Jim Gary of Kutak Rock in Little Rock and Fayetteville, Scott Summers of Littler Mendelson in Fayetteville and Charles Reynolds of Dover Dixon Horne in Little Rock.
You may register for one of the “Labor Relations in Today’s Economy” seminars by contacting Natalie Smith at Arkansans for the Secret Ballot by phone at 501-975-8344 or e-mail at info@yoursecretballot.com. The cost is $40 per participant. Checks need to be mailed to Arkansans for the Secret Ballot, P.O. Box 8003, Little Rock, AR 72203.
EFCA is a drastic and dangerous piece of legislation that if passed will be the most radical change to labor law in more than 60 years. It will be brought before Congress in early 2009. The proposal takes away the long-held tradition of using secret ballots for union elections. Instead, the union leaders propose using a card check system – a process where votes are cast in public and can be collected by union leaders at a worker’s job, home or on-line.
What you can do:
· Join the coalition by calling the State Chamber/AIA office and ask to be added to the Arkansans FOR the Secret Ballot.
· Send a letter (by fax or to district offices) to Senators Lincoln and Pryor and your Congressman.
· Make an appointment to see Senators Lincoln and Pryor and your Congressman and tell them how this will affect your business and the community.
· Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
· Spread the word about EFCA and ask other members of your community to join the Arkansans FOR the Secret Ballot.
All State Chamber/AIA members are strongly encouraged to spread the word about this issue to fellow members of the business community as well as to employees. It is vitally important that our members of Congress hear the business perspective on this issue.
If EFCA passes, it will strip workers and businesses of critical rights and protections. Please join the Arkansans FOR the Secret Ballot and help us protect privacy and promote democracy in the workplace.
State Chamber/AIA Sets Position on Ballot Issues
In a regularly scheduled September 25 conference call, the State Chamber/AIA Executive Committee approved the recommendations of the State Chamber/AIA Governmental Affairs Committee on the 2008 Ballot Issues. The organizations are opposed to the legislatively referred ballot issue to hold annual legislative sessions, supports Referred Question 1 to renew the current authority of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue $300 million in water and wastewater bonds, is not opposed to the statewide lottery to fund scholarships for higher education, has no position on the legislatively referred amendment to clarify and clean up the state’s voter qualification laws and has no position on the adoption and foster care citizen initiative.
Get Out The Vote!
If you are not registered to vote, you have until October 6 to register at your County Clerk’s office. Or you may mail it no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote. The postmark on a mail-in application will be considered the submission date. To register you:
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Must be an Arkansas resident, having lived here for at least 31 days prior to the first election in which you vote.
- Must be 18 years of age on or before the next election.
- Cannot be a convicted felon who has not served your sentence or been pardoned.
- Cannot be currently adjudged mentally incompetent by a competent jurisdiction regarding your ability to vote.
- Cannot be registered elsewhere, such as another state or Arkansas county.
Remember that if you are a registered voter but have moved or had a change of address since the last election your voter registration does not automatically transfer. You must contact your County Clerk to update your voter registration and receive your new polling location information.
All State Chamber/AIA members who are registered are encouraged to vote. In addition to voting yourself, encourage your family, friends, co-workers and customers to vote on Election Day. Help others realize that the right to vote is an opportunity not to be taken for granted.
Early voting for the General Election will begin on October 20. You can early vote at your local County Clerk’s office. On Tuesday, November 4 polling locations will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Each election, at least one hundred million Americans throw away their right to vote. But with proposals such as the Employee Free Choice/card check legislation hinging on such a narrow margin, the outcome of this year’s election will have a lasting impact on the way this country does business. Issues ranging from energy and the environment to taxes and the continually rising cost of health care make this year’s election a pivotal one for Arkansas and for our Nation. It is vital that the voice of the Arkansas business community be heard. It is vital that your voice be heard. If you don’t vote, you don’t count, so get out and vote!
Governor’s Quality Award Program Recognizes Excellence in Arkansas Businesses
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the Governor’s Quality Award Program in recognizing excellence in Arkansas businesses and organizations. The Awards Celebration on October 15 in the Wally Allen Ballroom will be held in conjunction with the Governor’s Summit on Education and Economic Development and the State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting. The event will showcase this year’s applicants from all across the state at the Governor, Achievement, Commitment, and Challenge Award levels. Industries including manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and insurance will be represented.
The Malcolm Baldrige-based program uses teams of trained examiners to assess businesses using written applications and site visits. Thousands of hours each year are donated by examiners - top professionals within their own industries - to determine what level each applicant has achieved in their goal of performance excellence. A written feedback report is provided to applicants with the examiners’ conclusions.
In an effort to continue fulfilling its vision of contributing to the success of Arkansas organizations and the communities they serve, the Governor’s Quality Award program is excited about expanding its program services both to applicants and examiners in 2009. If you’re interested in attending the Awards Celebration or would like more information about becoming an applicant or an examiner for the program, please contact Sue Weatter, 501-372-2222, or sweatter@arkansasstatechamber.com .
Next Small Business Council Meeting Rescheduled for November 11
The State Chamber/AIA Small Business Council will hold its next meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11 in the Conference Room. (This date has been rescheduled from the previous date of November 20 due to a conflict).
Tamika Edwards, Community Affairs Specialist for U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, will provide a presentation on legislative topics of interest to small businesses. We are still seeking a sponsor for the lunch portion of the meeting. If your company would like to sponsor the lunch, please contact Jeff Thatcher at 501-210-4205 or jthatcher@arkansasstatechamber.com .
Below is the schedule for future Small Business Council Meetings through May 2009. The meetings will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Conference Room at our Little Rock office unless otherwise indicated.
Thursday, January 22, 2009 - Government Regulation
Thursday, March 19, 2009 - Employee Benefits
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - Information Technology
Your Help Needed in Important Energy Survey
With the potentially adverse impacts of energy volatility, EPA and the Governor’s Commission on Global Warming’s focus on reduction of greenhouse gases, and federal rules on carbon dioxide likely to emerge in the next Congress, the rubber is getting close to the road on climate and energy for Arkansas industry. The Arkansas State Chamber/AIA is supporting an effort by the Arkansas Energy Office of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, which is partnering with the Arkansas Environmental Federation (AEF) to provide information and insights to policy makers on positive, rather than punitive pathways for businesses to address these rising challenges. As a key component of the project, the State Chamber/AIA will join the AEF in distributing an energy survey questionnaire in the very near future. We strongly encourage you to respond.
With the Global Warming Commission expected to report its findings and recommendations to Governor Beebe on Nov. 1, 2008, and the potential for consideration of measures during the upcoming General Assembly in January, timely presentation of the survey results could play a meaningful role in effecting policy.
These growing market and regulatory factors are fostering fundamental change for many businesses. Shaping the right approach is a critical priority for the State Chamber/AIA and the other groups, but your help is needed.
The State Chamber/AIA has also formed a Task Force on Energy that will meet for the first time at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7 in the State Chamber/AIA conference room. All who are interested are welcome to attend.
The more and better data available, the stronger case can be built for programs and resources to turn energy and environmental liabilities into strategic gains. Nationally speaking, the project puts Arkansas in a leadership position with respect to other states, and a strong response will help garner energy program support and project funding available through the most recently passed federal energy bill.
The project includes a variety of business sectors in Arkansas and a key challenge is to create data on the most potential gain through emerging technologies and efficiency, expanding the clean fuels and energy source pool, and recycling wasted energy streams for the least cost across as diverse an industrial, commercial and agricultural spectrum as possible. Feedback on the survey form was received from industrial representatives, DOE energy efficiency offices, and a variety of other technical sources.
To improve ease of use, respondents will be encouraged to answer only those questions applicable or readily available to their business. In addition to quantitative data, strong value can be gained by gauging energy market and policy awareness from hands-on managers - what your staffs expect and what they can offer on how best to position your organization’s energy strategy.
The project, conducted by Paliria Energy, will also include interviews to allow greater business community insight and input on measures to improve organizational energy and environmental performance.
Please watch for more information about this important survey and respond accordingly.
Cossatot Community College to Host Southwest Arkansas Career Fair
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas (CCCUA), which includes De Queen, Nashville and Ashdown, is hosting a Career Fair at the De Queen branch on November 13.
The Career Fair will assist graduates with finding employment opportunities after graduation. Businesses and industries are invited to participate.
Please contact Shaun Clark, Placement Coordinator, CCUA Office of Placement Services for additional information and a registration form, by calling 870-584-4471, ext. 1967, 870-897-8278 or via e-mail: sclark@cccua.edu .
Welcome to Our New Members
Thanks to the following companies and organizations that have recently joined the State Chamber/AIA:
Arkansas Home Builders
Arkansas News Bureau/Stephens Media
Hertz Local Edition – Little Rock
Sunset Transportation Service
Wilcox Parker Hurst Lancaster & Lacy PLC
Thanks to Our Pinnacle Members
The State Chamber/AIA would like to recognize XTO Energy, which has moved up in designation to a Summit member, and FDA NCTR, which has joined as a Crown member.
We wish to express special thanks to all of our Pinnacle investors, the respected companies that support the State Chamber/AIA at the highest annual investment levels. We appreciate all that they do for us.
APEX
Alltel Corporation
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
SUMMIT
Chesapeake Energy, Inc.
Cox Communications
Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods
Tyson Foods, Inc.
XTO Energy, Inc.
PEAK
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Arvest Bank
AT&T Arkansas
CenterPoint Energy Southern Gas
Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
FedEx Freight - East
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Harps Food Stores, Inc.
Kraft Foods
Oaklawn Jockey Club
Pathfinder Exploration LLC
SemGroup LP
Southern Bancorp, Inc.
Southland Park Gaming & Racing
Southwestern Energy Company
State Farm Insurance
Weyerhaeuser Company
Windstream Corporation
CROWN
Acxiom Corporation
AEP Southwestern Electric Power
Albemarle Corporation
Alcoa
Alta Resources LLC
American Greetings Corporation
America's Car-Mart, Inc.
Arkansas Employees Federal Credit Union
Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation
Arkansas Western Gas Company
Bank of the Ozarks
CardinalHealth
CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Company
Crossland Construction Company
Deltic Timber Corporation
Dynegy
Entegra Power Group LLC
Evergreen Packaging Company
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.
FDA NCTR
Forest Oil Corporation
Glad Manufacturing/A Clorox Company
Golden Living
International Paper Company
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Lion Oil Company
McKee Foods Corporation
Metropolitan National Bank
Murphy Oil Corporation
Nabholz Construction Corporation
Nucor-Yamato Steel
OG+E
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Philander Smith College
Pinnacle Foods Group LLC
Potlatch Forest Products Corporation
Pulaski Technical College
Rheem Air Conditioning Division
Riceland Foods, Inc.
Signature Bank of Arkansas
Simmons First National Corporation
Stephens, Inc.
Storm Cat Energy
Suez Energy North America
The Clorox Company
The Trane Company
US Bank
Waste Management
Wright Lindsey & Jennings
Calendar of Events
October 7 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
10:30 a.m.
Monticello Chamber of Commerce
October 7 State Chamber/AIA Task Force on Energy
2 p.m.
State Chamber/AIA Conference Room
October 7 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
2:30 p.m.
Magnolia (location still to be determined)
October 8 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
9 a.m.
Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
October 8 Legal Seminar: “Labor Relations in Today’s Economy
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
State Chamber/AIA Conference Room
October 8 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
11:30 a.m.
Maumelle Industrial Park
October 8 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
3 p.m.
Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce
October 9 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
10 a.m.
Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce
October 9 Legal Seminar: “Labor Relations in Today’s Economy
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Springdale Holiday Inn and Convention Center
1500 S. 48th St.
October 9 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
2 p.m.
Mid-South Community College
Reynolds Center, Room 121
West Memphis
October 10 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
8 a.m.
Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
October 10 Employee Free Choice/Card Check Meeting
11 a.m.
Baldor Electric Company
5711 R. S. Boreham, Jr., St.
Fort Smith
October 14 Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Meeting
Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
Little Rock
October 15 Leadership Arkansas Class III Session I
Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
October 15 80th State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting
Statehouse Convention Center, Governor’s Halls I and II
Little Rock
October 15 Governor’s Quality Awards
7 – 9 p.m.
Wally Allen Ballroom A, Statehouse Convention Center
Little Rock
October 16 Arkansas Works 2008:
The Governor’s Summit on Education and Economic Development
Statehouse Convention Center, Governor’s Halls I and II
Little Rock
