Weekly CEO Update

CEO Update-Webb Brown, Montana Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

MEMBERS NEW TO CHAMBER!
- Carbon Equipment Repair LLC; PO Box 732, Bridger, MT 59014; 406-662-3400; Sarah Fendler
- Missoula Tire Center; 3848 Brooks St., Missoula, MT 59804; 406-251-5988; Todd Pressler
- Marathon Seat Covers; 1624 West Beall St., Bozeman, MT 59715; 406-587-4001; Pat Cunningham; www.marathonseatcovers.com
- SOS Pest Control Inc.; Po Box 80222, 44 Marshall Dr., Billings, MT 59108; 406-259-9277; JoLynn Fellows
- Dr. J General Surgery; 2835 Fort Missoula Rd, #306, Missoula, MT 59804; 406-541-2570; Caroline Mentzer
- Rutherford, McDonald & Olson Inc.; 619 SW Higgins Ste R, Missoula, MT 59802; 406-549-2334; Greg Olson
[back to top]

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
The Billings Chamber/CVB is pleased to announce that the Accrediting Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has designated your Billings Chamber/CVB as an Accredited chamber with 5-Stars. This 5-Star Accreditation is currently awarded to only one percent of all chambers in the nation. Accreditation indicates that a chamber of commerce operates under effective organizational procedures and contributes to significant positive change in the community. To achieve this standing, we performed an intensive self-assessment of our operations in nine areas of work, including governance, government affairs, and technology. For more information on the Accreditation Program, go to:
http://www.billingschamber.com/site/headline2
West Paw Design has been honored not once, but twice in the past month. Governor Brian Schweitzer and the Montana District Export Council named West Paw Design of Bozeman as the winner of the Montana District Export Council Governor’s Excellence in Exporting 2009 Montana Exporter of the Year. West Paw Design manufactures high quality dog and cat toys, bedding and apparel. West Paw Design currently exports to 24 countries and in 2008 its exports grew by over 300 percent. The second award was for environmental consciousness. The EcoStar awards program, now in its tenth year, recognizes Montana businesses and organizations that are helping create more environmentally and economically sustainable communities by surpassing state and federal requirements to reduce solid and hazardous waste generation. For more information on the EcoStar program contact Jenny Grossenbacher at (406) 994-4292, jenniferg@montana.edu or visit: http://www.mtp2.org/ecostar.html . Other Montana Chamber members recognized for 2009 EcoStar Awards also included Delaware North Co. Parks and Resorts at Yellowstone; St. Vincent Healthcare; St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center; and the Three Bear Lodge and Restaurant - West Yellowstone. Congratulations to all.
If you have significant news you’d like us to report (Lord knows there’s enough bad news out there; let’s have some good news!), just send it to info@montanachamber.com .
[back to top]

MONTANA IN CHINA
The “Montana Goes to China” tour is currently IN the Oriental country. A group of 40 people from the Montana Chamber are touring China through March 15. Rather than a trade mission, this is more a “getting to know you” tourism/cultural visit, with a business conference or two thrown in. The tour is organized by Montana Chamber member Citslinc International, with an incredible everything-included price of less than $2,000. We’ll be reporting on activities of the group. If you would be interested in going on a future trip, please contact Webb (when he returns!) at 888-442-2405 ext. 101 or webb@montanachamber.com .
[back to top]

LEGAL REFORM CONFERENCE
Only two weeks to go until the Chamber’s “Legal Reform Conference”, March 22-23 in Billings. This conference is not just for attorneys, but anyone who has an interest in the legal system. Registration before March 19th is required to attend the conference, so make sure to call or email Jon in our office at jon@montanachamber.com or 406-442-2405, ext. 104. The conference will feature a number of speakers and panels on everything from medical liability reform, workers’ compensation reform, judicial elections, products liability reform and more. To view the latest agenda, click here:
http://www.montanachamber.com/uploads/docs/LegalReformConference/Legal Reform Conference 3-4-10.pdf .
[back to top]

SUPREME COURT REVIEW
The Montana Chamber will release its biennial review of the Montana Supreme Court this week. The Chamber is the only organization in the state that quantitatively reviews the work of all three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial. It’s important to follow the decision of the Court because it has huge impacts on Montana businesses. Contract law, insurance law, workers’ compensation law, land use law, medical malpractice law, tort law, tax law and more are all covered in this review that looks at cases from 2008 and 2009. Look for a special edition of the “Montana Capitol Connection” to see the full Review.
[back to top]

INTERIM
There are two interim committees that will meet in Helena this week. The first is the Water Policy Committee, which will meet in Helena on March 10 & 11 at the Capitol. The second is the Education & Local Government Committee, which will meet in Helena on March 12 at the Capitol. To get more information on these two meetings and the agendas, go to
www.leg.mt.gov.
[back to top]

STATE BUDGET
Governor Brian Schweitzer has been trying to defend his fiscal record over the past few months as the state tries to stay in the black. Legislative Republicans blame three sessions of increased state spending for the latest budget crisis, but Democrats say there is no reason to be alarmed. Last week, many legislators came to Helena to learn more specifics about the budget. They learned that while our current ending fund balance may be in the black, the state budget is currently structurally imbalanced. In other words, the state is currently spending more than it is taking in. This is due, in part, to the huge (40%) increase in state spending authorized for the 2007-2008 biennium. When economist look into the future beyond the 2011 budget, they see some big problems in revenue growth, on-going spending, and statutory increases.
[back to top]

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM — COMBINING SAFETY AND WELLNESS
Register by March 19 and lock in your early bird rate of $100 for the noon-noon 5th Annual Montana Worksite Wellness Conference, “Keeping Montanans Well through Worksite Health Promotion” April 26-27 in Bozeman at the Holiday Inn. The conference will provide employers with specific “how to’s” about integrating safety and wellness at your workplace. Also highlighted is Montana specific success stories and small employer comparison information presented by our very own Chelsea Culpon. To register today, visit
http://montanaworksitewellness.org/conference.shtml
[back to top]

FREE SMOKING CESSATION WEBINAR MARCH 23
The easiest way to determine if you could be saving money and improving productivity at your workplace is to attend this 1 hour, convenient webinar on smoking cessation for the employer. First learn how smoking is effecting your bottom line and then hear about a simple, free tool that that can assist you in implementing change. Chelsea coordinated this event and highly recommends this for employers committed to improving performance. Register today for this free webinar with Shalina Mirza, shalina.mirza@montana.edu or 406-994-5310.
[back to top]

WELLNESS CHAMPION TRAINING IN 5 CITIES
Between March 31 and April 8 take advantage of a stellar wellness champion training in your area for only $75. The trainings are led by industry experts and 100% of attendees last year said the workshop was valuable. For employers with current safety and/or wellness program or those considering implementing or expanding safety and/or wellness programs this training is also a must! To register call Barbara Gledhill at 1-888-582-9002 or email info@twomedicinehealth.com
Great Falls—March 31
Helena—April 1
Missoula—April 6
Bozeman—April 7
Billings—April 8
[back to top]

HIRE ACT
U.S. Senator Max Baucus recently spearheaded the Senate passage of a series of tax cuts and infrastructure investments aimed at creating jobs in Montana. The HIRE Act passed the Senate last week with bipartisan support. The bill included a new provision that will offer employers a payroll tax holiday for hiring unemployed workers. The provision allows an additional $1,000 income tax credit for every new employee retained for 52 weeks to be taken on the employer’s 2011 income tax return. The HIRE Act also extends small business expensing at the higher expensing levels through 2010. This valuable tax incentive allows small business taxpayers to write off up to $250,000 of certain capital expenditures in 2010 instead of depreciating those costs over time. This provision reduces the tax burden on small businesses now and thus helps them meet their needs for cash in this difficult time. Sen. Baucus is currently crafting another bill aimed at helping Montana’s small businesses, which employ nearly three quarters of the Montana workforce. He is exploring how to help small businesses reach their full export potential and improve their participation in trade. He is also examining the expansion of various small business tax benefits. If you have additional ideas for this small business bill, please contact any of his offices. Thanks to his office for providing this info.
[back to top]

CENSUS
If one thing could be said about the 2010 Census today, it is to tell folks to mail back their census forms so there is no costly follow-up. The mathematical and economic principles behind this plea are simple: Taxpayers save $85 million for every one percentage point increase in the national mail back participation rate for the 2010 Census.
http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/2010-census-ad-campaign-positioned-to-save-taxpayers-millions-helping-boost-mail-back-participation.html
[back to top]

COBRA/UI
COBRA Subsidy and UI Extension Signed Into Law. On March 2, 2010, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 4691, the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 by a vote of 78-19. This Senate action follows House passage of H.R. 4691 on February 25, 2010. The President immediately signed this bill into law on March 2, 2010. The Temporary Extension Act:
1. Extends the COBRA subsidy program that was enacted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and
2. Extends unemployment benefits through April 5, 2010.
COBRA
The law’s COBRA provisions:
- Extend the eligibility period for the 15-month 65 percent premium subsidy to those involuntarily terminated from March 1 through March 31, 2010.
- Allow employees to receive the subsidy if they first lost group coverage due to a reduction in hours and then were terminated after enactment of the bill.
The law’s Unemployment Insurance benefit provisions:
- Extend the period during which individuals may file applications for Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) from the current end date of February 28, 2010 to April 5, 2010 and the period during which individuals may claim and be paid EUC is extended from July 31, 2010 to September 4, 2010.
- Extend the period during which individuals may qualify for the Federal Additional Compensation (FAC), the extra $25 weekly benefit amount on state and federal unemployment compensation, from the current end date of February 28, 2010 to April 5, 2010 with weekly payment provided during the phase out period for weeks ending October 5, 2010 instead of August 31, 2010.
- Extend the period during which 100% federal reimbursement for weeks of regular federal extended benefit payments to April 5, 2010, with the state option to continue the extended period from July 31, 2010 to September 4, 2010.
- The short term 30 day extension of emergency unemployment benefits passed by Congress and signed by President Obama recently will benefit approximately 5,900 Montanans. Unemployed workers who exhaust their regular Montana UI benefits can file for Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits until week ending April 3, 2010 under this legislation. Congress is currently considering a longer extension of EUC benefits. Claimants already on the EUC program should continue to file their biweekly requests for payment. Claimants who have exhausted their Montana current claim should file an EUC claim by logging on to
- www.UI4U.mt.gov or contact the Unemployment Insurance Claims Processing Center at (406) 444-2545 (Helena) or (406) 247-1000 (Billings).
These “short-term” extensions of the COBRA subsidy and unemployment benefits are intended to give Congress more time to consider legislation to extend these programs through 2010. Under H.R. 4213, a bill the Senate is currently debating, both the COBRA subsidy program and unemployment benefits would be extended through December 31, 2010.
[back to top]

MONTANA GOOD ON TAX SYSTEMS
Montana scored fifth best in “The Best and Worst of State Tax Administration” -- the latest version of the tri-annual Scorecard on state tax appeal systems and basic procedural and administrative requirements published by the Council On State Taxation (COST). This rating has nothing to do with levels of taxation, merely the administration of same. Among our neighboring states, Idaho bested us at #3, while Wyoming came in at #10. COST has long monitored and commented on state tax appeals processes and administrative practices. Part of that effort has resulted in the regular publication of a Scorecard ranking the states on their adoption of procedural practices which impact the perceived fairness of the rules and requirements for state tax administration and appeal of state tax matters. The Montana Chamber has long been a part of trying to make Montana’s tax system as open, fair, competitive, and responsive as possible. It is a common truth that taxpayers will more fully and willingly comply with a tax system they perceive to be balanced, fair, and effective. Taxpayers operating in a system they perceive as oppressive, unfair, or otherwise biased are less likely to voluntarily comply. The clear message to state legislatures is that they must be sensitive to the compliance implications and competitiveness concerns created by poor tax administrative rules and ineffective tax appeal systems. The procedural elements evaluated in this Scorecard consider whether the state has adopted:
- Even-handed statutes of limitations for refunds and assessments;
- Equalized interest rates on refunds and assessments;
- Due dates for corporate income tax returns at least 30 days beyond the federal due date with an automatic extension of the state return due date based on the federal extension;
- Adequate time to file a protest before an independent dispute forum;
- Reasonable and clearly defined procedures for filing amended state income/franchise tax returns following an adjustment to a taxpayer’s federal corporate tax liability; and
- Any additional ineffective, burdensome or inequitable practices, such as contingent fee audits, duplicative local revenue departments, use of outside counsel to litigate cases, or retroactive statutes, penalties and/or interest.
For the full document, please go to:
www.cost.org .
[back to top]

WHEELER CONFERENCE on JOBS
Returning to a topic it first addressed 10 years ago, the Burton K. Wheeler Center of Montana State University organized the conference titled, "The 'Next' Economy: A Public Discussion on Jobs and Innovation." Craig Barrett from the Intel Corporation will give the opening keynote address. Paul Kedrosky from the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City will speak on "The Education/Entrepreneur Connection," in his evening keynote address. Gordon Brittan, Regents Professor of Philosophy and former director of the Wheeler Center, will speak on "Taking the Long View of Montana's Economy." Among the other speakers are Tara Veazey from the Montana Budget and Policy Center, Lyle Knight of First Interstate Bank in Billings, Larry Simkins of the Washington Companies in Missoula and Greg Gianforte from RightNow Technologies in Bozeman. Entrepreneurs and innovators, as well as policy makers and business leaders from around the state will explore and debate the issues in several panel discussions. Among the issues they will discuss are:
- What should Montana's economy look like into the mid-21st century, and how can Montana achieve that vision?
- Should Montana work alone or seek regional strategies and partnerships, international alliances and trade? Should the state build on traditional industries or branch out into new economy spheres?
- Who is responsible for moving Montana forward? What should the role be for those in the private sector, industry, government, education and Montana communities?
The goal of the conference is to offer progressive and useful ideas for policymakers and planners across the state and region, according to conference organizers. Cost of the conference is $48 if registration is received by 5 p.m. Thursday, April 1. Late registrants will be charged $75 on a space available basis. Students may attend for $35. Registration will cover two lunches, one dinner, one continental breakfast and all materials. For a schedule and full list of speakers, go to http://www.wheelercenter.org/#conferences_events . For information about registration:
http://www.wheelercenter.org/#register:9
[back to top]

SBA - SAVE THE DATE
The U.S. Small Business Administration invites you to attend the statewide Small Business Week Awards Banquet on June 2, 2010, to pay tribute to outstanding small business owners and advocate champions across Montana. The event will be held at Gallatin Gateway Inn, with more info to follow.
[back to top]

Keep up the good work!

What We Do