U.S. Senate votes to remove the 1099 Provision

The Senate has voted to remove an unpopular provision of the healthcare reform law that requires all businesses to fill out a tax form each time they spend $600 or more.

By a bipartisan vote of 81-17, the Senate on Wednesday evening passed an amendment by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) that would repeal a provision from the ACA that requires all businesses to fill out a tax form known as a "1099" each time they spend $600 or more.

The 1099 provision was intended to give the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) more tools to ensure all taxes that are owed are paid. It was expected to raise an estimated $19 billion to help pay for expanding healthcare coverage to the uninsured as part of the ACA.

But businesses complained that the provision was too onerous, congressional Republicans and Democrats didn't like it, and even President Obama called the provision a "flaw" during his State of the Union address last week and said that he was open to removing it from the law.

ChamberWest signed a letter of support with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce to support the removal of this onerous bookkeeping policy. 

Business Matters Luncheon - Feb. 17th :: Five Chambers of Commerce, one location

The internationally acclaimed speaker, Dan Clark, will be the guest speaker at our Business Matters Luncheon on February 17. Dan lives here in Salt Lake Valley. He is well known as the primary contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, as well as the author of over 20 books. Achievers Europe and Achievers North America named Dan one of the top 10 speakers in the world! This puts him in the same caliber as Stephen Covey, Zig Zigler, Brian Tracy and others. Dan is all about helping you build your business. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity! Plan now to attend for this special event.

WHEN: Feb. 17th @ 11:45 a.m. (Business Before Lunch at 11:00)
WHERE: Noah's - 322 West 11000 South, South Jordan
COST: $20 with RSVP; $30 at door without RSVP (for participating chamber members)
RSVP: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/d5Qpr6l2SnHjf7P64F6u816i
Host Chamber: Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce
Information Flyer to share with your colleagues and co-workers


Luncheon sponsored by:  

Participating west-side chambers:

              

Economy Review - January 19 @ 8:00 a.m.

2011 Economy Review - Jan. 19, 2011 @ 8:00 a.m.

Join the Governor's Office of Budget & Planning, the Wasatch Front Economic Forum, ChamberWest Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Salt Lake Chamber to hear from key note speaker James W. Paulsen, Ph.D., chief investment strategist at Wells Capital Management, the Utah Economic Council and Governor Gary R. Herbert as he accepts the 2011 Economic Forecast and discusses issues facing the State’s economy.  Details:
January 19, 2011
8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Hilton Salt Lake City Center - 255 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT (map)
James W. Paulsen, Ph.D.
A 20-year veteran of the investment management industry, Jim Paulsen is the chief investment strategist at Wells Capital Management. Dr. Paulsen is responsible for developing investment strategies that assist in the management of separate institutional account assets, as well as mutual and collective investment funds.

In 1997, he joined Norwest Investment Management, Inc., which later combined with Wells Capital Management. Previously he was the senior managing director and chief investment strategist for Investors Management Group, Des Moines, Iowa. Barron's added Paulsen to its 12-member panel of elite economists in 2002. BusinessWeek named him 'Top Economic Forecaster' for 2001, and BondWeek named him 'Interest Rate Forecaster of the Year' in 1998 and 2000. Dr. Paulsen is often quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, as well as other national publications.

Dr. Paulsen earned his bachelor's and doctoral degrees in economics from Iowa State University, Ames.  REGISTER NOW 
Admission is $65, which includes breakfast and a copy of the Economic Forecast.

Details and advance RSVP at www.chamberwest.org/economyreview

Gold Cross Introduces Emergency Medical ID Card

ChamberWest member Gold Cross Ambulance has introduced a virtual medical identification card that allows individuals to share limited access to their vital health information in the event of an emergency.
The Invisible Bracelet (iB) is a wallet card, key fob or ID sticker linked to a secure online web service, where members can register their vital health information. The bracelet allows Gold Cross personnel quick access to a patient's health information, through PIN-enabled online access, saving critical time in getting the patient treated. If medical transport is necessary, medics can notify up to 10 patient contacts immediately via SMS text message or email.

iB is a voluntary service that puts the patient in control of the information medics can access and is as secure as online banking. This HIPAA-compliant web service exceeds federal and state patient privacy and security laws and creates an audit log every time patient data is accessed. The card will help Gold Cross medics perform their job more efficiently by reducing patient harm and unnecessary expenses that results from having incomplete or inaccurate vital emergency health information. 
 

“Having access to a patient’s health information at the scene saves valuable time in assessing the situation," said Brooke Macias, Gold Cross Ambulance Community Relations.  "This gives our medics an advantage in a crisis and we expect the Invisible Bracelet will help us save more lives.”

As a key player in creating the iB Medic Network, Gold Cross is offering the iB membership for an annual fee of $5.00 through Dec 31, 2010.  Applicants must be 18 years old or be registered by a legal guardian. To create an account, log onto: http://www.invisiblebracelet.org/ems/gold-cross-services

C.R. England Increases Operational Efficiency with Innovative Solutions

While trucking companies nationwide grapple with high fuel costs, increased regulations and other challenges, leaders at C.R. England, the world’s largest refrigerated carrier, have distinguished themselves with their commitment to sustainability and innovation.

C.R. England is using an enhanced intermodal transportation solution, TempStack container-on-flatcar technology (COFC), which combines the benefits of rail transportation with the convenience of localized trailer delivery. The use of the intermodal network — which uses shipping via rail instead of over-the-road — saved C.R. England and its customers more than 3.5 million gallons of fuel last year. This can also lead to lower consumer product costs.

The company also expects to lower fuel costs by 40 percent compared to traditional operating models by selecting more energy efficient solutions with world-leading control functions. These controls allow drivers to tightly manage temperature while optimizing fuel usage by cycling the cooling process, providing as-needed rather than continuous cooling.

In addition, C.R. England increased operational efficiency by standardizing its maintenance program, which leaders anticipate will reduce maintenance costs by $250,000 annually.

Because of its commitment to environmental responsibility and operational efficiency, C.R. England will receive the Thermo King “Energy Efficiency Leader Award.”

“It’s not often in business that you find a solution providing end-to-end benefits,” said Dan England, president and chairman of the board, C.R. England. “Our commitment to sustainability has also opened the door to improved safety, reliability and cost savings while giving our customers even better service.”

Intermodal Transportation Solution Increases Sustainability

C.R. England has introduced TempStack to its Intermodal division. TempStack is an innovative, 53-foot temperature-controlled COFC technology that offers significant cost savings, expanded network coverage capacity and a reduced carbon footprint. C.R. England’s COFC technology makes the company’s fleet the largest in the industry with the ability to double-stack refrigerated containers on railroad flatcars, creating greater movement of freight through more green and cost effective transportation. The fleet will include 300 containers by the end of the first quarter of 2011.

Every load that travels by rails means having one less truck on the highway, reducing fuel costs, carbon emissions and traffic congestion, and ultimately creating safer roads. On average, each load converted to intermodal results in a 60 percent carbon footprint reduction.

Refrigeration Controls Generate Savings

C.R. England has also incorporated controls that allow them to run refrigeration units on an as-needed basis while tightly controlling temperature – changes which save money and increase operational efficiency.

A customized temperature control system, OptiSet™, offers more than 500 pre-set temperature options, allowing unit operation and product quality decisions to be made in advance. Fleet managers and drivers can collaborate to identify a tightly controlled temperature range based on the product load, which can result in more consistent product quality and more efficient use of the unit.

C.R. England has also increased operational efficiency by incorporating CYCLE-SENTRY modulation™, which allows the unit engine to shut down when air temperature has reached the desired setpoint. This saves fuel and the accumulation of engine hours.

Standardized Maintenance Program Increases Operational Efficiency

To reduce variable maintenance costs, leaders at C.R. England have incorporated a standardized maintenance program. C.R. England anticipates the enhanced maintenance approach will reduce load loss, extend equipment life and increase driver safety.

Tailored to maximize uptime and productivity for C.R. England, the maintenance program provides drivers 24/7 access to expedited services. The company anticipates that carefully maintained equipment will further improve safety and efficiency every step of the way.