Welcome to the eAdvocate One of the 4 core values of the Bozeman Chamber is to represent the interests of business in front of government. We do that in many ways - our hope is that through this monthly newsletter you will be able to follow our activities. Most important, we hope that you'll comment, guide and advocate on issues that you feel are important to businesses in the Gallatin Valley. Eggs & Issues - Bozeman Public Schools Update K-12 funding was on everyone's radar screen at the Legislature this year, but what really happened? What are the issues surrounding the Bozeman School District's budget election coming up? And what is the state of schools in Bozeman? These questions and more will be discussed at the Thursday, May 14 Eggs & Issues Forum with BPS Superintendent Kirk Miller. Funding for schools in Montana is complicated, and funding levels based on student enrollment, number of buildings and allowable revenue collections make the funding formula complicated. Miller and Finance Director Steve Johnson will help Chamber members make sense of it and discuss the upcoming operating levy election. Eggs & Issues is brought to you by Reporter Big Sky and HON. Contact Jeremy Turner to find out how chamber members can get an additional 3% off their already low prices on Legacy brand products. Eggs & Issues will start at 7:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for general admission. Register here. False Victory in Helena For Business Last month we told you that SB 371 was approved by the House of Representatives and was on its way to the Governor's desk for his signature. Unfortunately, he vetoed the pro-business bill that would have helped clarify what activities are considered part of the course and scope of employment, and therefore covered by work comp. With Montana's work comp rates rated second-worst in the nation, this is one positive step that could have been taken. Here's how one business owner summarized the veto: "We are now implementing a policy restricting employee activities while on breaks, etc., as well as curtailing company-sponsored social activities. It is not going to be popular. I am simply giving concerned employees the Governor's number, as well as the Trial Lawyers' Assoc." Legislative Work Continues Although the legislative session is over, interim committees will start up soon. Part of their duty is to work on interim studies between legislative sessions. The studies are established by legislative rules through joint resolutions and by law through bills. Following adjournment, the Legislative Services Division distributes to each legislator a list of study resolutions which were adopted during the session. Each legislator is asked to prioritize, by importance, each study request. With 17 studies requested and limited resources, not all of them will be assigned by the Legislative Council to interim committees. We'll be asking you to contact the legislators for your district (Senator and Representative), as well as any others you may know, to urge them to support the studies related to business. We will send you information about those studies very soon. Finally, state legislators in many cases will be developing rules on many of the bills enacted. Often, the rules don't necessarily comport with what we thought the intent of the bill was. Thanks to the Montana Chamber for this information. Credit Card Reform for Small Business The US House of Representatives just passed the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, which restricts some aggressive tactics by credit card companies, like arbitrary rate changes, applying payments in a way that maximizes interest charges, and double-cycle billing. But the bill as written doesn't apply to small business credit cards, even though such cards are personally guaranteed and function exactly the same way consumer credit cards do. Business community weighs in on Administration's business initiatives The Washington Post notes, "Across the nation, many business owners are watching anxiously as the president undertakes expensive initiatives to overhaul health care and expand educational opportunities, while also reining in runaway budget deficits. Already, Obama has proposed an extra $1.3 trillion in taxes for business and high earners over the next decade. They include new limits on the ability of corporations to automatically defer U.S. taxes on income earned overseas, repeal of a form of inventory accounting that tends to reduce business taxes, and a mandate that investment partnerships pay the regular income tax rate instead of the lower capital gains rate. Business groups say they're bracing for even more battles with the administration. 'They're desperate for revenue. And therein lies the concern of the broader business community,' said R. Bruce Josten, chief lobbyist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce." Work Completed on City Economic Development Plan The Prospera Business Network recently completed the City of Bozeman's draft Economic Development Plan. This will be included as part of the City's Growth Policy, formerly the 2020 Plan. A group of business representatives has been meeting since last fall to develop the document, which can be found here. The plan will be presented to the Planning Board on June 2 at 7 p.m. Vehicle Registration Now Available Online Montana citizens can now go online to renew their vehicle registration. Prior to the online service, citizens had to renew their vehicle registration in person at their county treasurer's office or by mail. The Vehicle Registration Renewal Service can be found here, or through the state web site and the Department of Justice web site. City & County Board Vacancies Get involved with your community - there are numerous boards and committees that need citizen members. Click here for a list of City vacancies. One very important opening on the county's boards and commissions is the County-wide Interim Zoning Board of Adjustment. Click here for a list of County vacancies. Scams Growing Like Weeds in Spring The Better Business Bureau reminds us to be careful consumers. The BBB has issued numerous warnings regarding advertising solicitations. There are also warnings about door-to-door magazine sales, IRS email scams calculated tax returns, TTY relay calls and "pay it forward, feel good" gifting programs. U.S. Census Information The Census Bureau conducts a variety of censuses and surveys, not just the once-a-decade census. Every month, quarter, and year it conducts surveys with households and businesses. The bureau uses a workforce of trained federal employees to conduct a variety of household surveys by telephone and in-person interviews, as well as the mail. If someone from the Census Bureau has visited you, and you have any questions, you may speak directly via telephone or e-mail with the regional Census office. The Census Bureau does NOT conduct the 2010 Census via email or the Internet. You may receive an email from the Census Bureau regarding your participation in a survey, however: The Census Bureau does not request detailed personal information through email. The Census Bureau does not send email requesting PIN codes, passwords social security numbers or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts. If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home. Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. Census workers will not ask for banking and financial information nor will they solicit donations. Are You Complying with the "Red Flags Rule"? The "Red Flags Rule" requires many businesses and organizations to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs (red flags) of identity theft in their day-to-day operations. Are you covered by the Red Flags Rule? Read the FTC's "Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule: A How-To Guide for Business" to: Find out if the rule applies to your business or organization Get practical tips on spotting the red flags of identity theft, taking steps to prevent the crime, and mitigating the damage it inflicts Learn how to put in place your written Identity Theft Prevention Program. By identifying red flags in advance, you'll be better equipped to spot suspicious patterns when they arise and take steps to prevent a red flag from escalating into a costly episode of identity theft. Take advantage of other resources on this site to educate your employees and colleagues about complying with the Red Flags Rule.