Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber

JAN 26, 2012
Chamber of Commerce 2012 Legislative Agenda

The Chamber of Commerce has released its 2012 Legislative Agenda. To view and download the Agenda ... please click here

Wed Feb 08 @08:30AM - 09:30AM

Tue Feb 14 @08:00AM - 09:00AM

Thu Feb 23 @08:00AM - 09:30AM

Fri Feb 24 @08:30AM - 09:30AM

Tue Mar 13 @08:00AM - 09:00AM

Wed Mar 14 @08:30AM - 09:30AM

Thu Mar 22 @08:00AM - 09:30AM

FEB 2, 2012
Hiring Contractors Without Getting Into Trouble

There is widespread misunderstanding about when an individual meets the legal requirements to be treated as a contractor, rather than as an employee. Employers most often slip up when they try to fill a part-time or short-term need with an independent contractor, thinking that because the position is less than full time or of limited duration, it can be filled by a nonemployee. Read more ...
FEB 1, 2012
President proposes boosts for small businesses

Washington Post - The President's proposals, which build on the Startup America initiative the administration launched last year, include eliminating taxes on capital gains from investments in small businesses, providing a 10 percent tax credit for companies that create jobs or increase wages this year and ending country-specific immigration caps in order to attract highly skilled workers. Also this month, the President asked Congress to give him the authority to restructure government agencies to streamline regulatory requirements for small businesses, and he elevated the director of the Small Business Administration to Cabinet level to emphasize his commitment. Read more ...

FEB 2, 2012
O'Malley proposes 6 percent increase in gas prices

Baltimore Sun - Measure would apply Maryland sales tax to price per gallon for the first time. Read more ...
FEB 2, 2012
Verizon’s wireless, marketing deal with cable firms to be considered at Senate hearing

Washington Post - Comcast and other cable firms have argued that a marketing deal should not be included in federal regulatory reviews of mergers. They say the purchase of airwaves should be reviewed specifically for how the transaction affects wireless concentration in certain markets. Read more ...

FEB 2, 2012
In State of the State Address, Governor concedes tax proposals won't be popular

Baltimore Sun - Governor O'Malley cast his proposals to raise a series of taxes and fees as necessary "public investments" in the state. To help close a $1 billion budget gap, he has proposed raising taxes on the top 20 percent of earners – including two-salary families earning $100,000 – by reducing deductions and exemptions. Read more ...

FEB 3, 2012
Fed chief warns Congress against hampering growth while cutting debt

Washington Post - Bernanke’s comments reflect the heightening concern among lawmakers and on the presidential campaign trail about how to keep the economic recovery on track while trying to rein in the federal debt in the long term. A report this week from the Congressional Budget Office laid bare the consequences if the government moved forward with plans to raise some taxes while slashing funding. Read more ...
FEB 2, 2012
Where the Job Growth will be in this Decade

At the occupational level, the positions with the fastest projected growth are registered nurses (expected to add 712,000 jobs), retail sales workers (707,000), home health aides (706,000) and personal care aides
(607,000). The industry with the biggest projected job losses between 2010 and 2010 is the federal government, which is expected to eliminate a net 372,000 jobs. Read more ...