B/CS Chamber of Commerce Connections February 2015

legislative AFFAIRS • • Hiring skilled, sober employees that have the knowledge and ability to get the job done without negative side effects. Actually the tough part is sorting these folks from the ones that do not possess these attributes and still staying in compliance with the many rules and regulations that affect the HR processes.Increased costs of operating a small business Economic Development. Fortunate to be doing business in a vibrant B/CS market. Still concerned w/big picture, state, national & global economy. Do you have a particular business hardship story that resulted from any of the issues above (or other) that we can share during our meetings with Texas state legislators? • Not at this time. • I previously had a business where the biggest obstacle to profitability was that it cost so much to pay employees (i.e. payroll taxes). I could have employed more people if I didn’t have to pay the state too (and the feds). • The inconsistency and intrusion of politics into decisions on how to distribute economic incentives like the ETF risk undoing some of the things that make our state great. • Insurance costs and the particulars that are unique to Texas sometimes drive those costs. I have a pond outside Reserve Your Spot Today Please reserve your spot for the Chamber’s Annual Washington D.C. Fly-in Delegation. We are going to Washington D.C. May 11th through 14th. We have a very exciting trip planned, and this should be a very interesting time to be advocating for business in Congress. Please join us! my office, and our pumper fire trucks are set to use that water. However my rates are higher because we are more than 500-1000 from a fire hydrant. Well everyone is more than feet from a hydrant, unless you live in a tight citycommunity. My insurance carrier said the Texas rules were different than other states regarding the use of a pond or tank as an alternate source of water in the event of a fire. • I ended up going with a different carrier that was more accommodating. A Special Thanks to Our Government Affairs Sponsor: Regency Luxury Apartments The B/CS Chamber of Commerce is the only organization in the Brazos Valley that represents local businesses in Washington D.C. and Austin. Our new Government Affairs Sponsor provides the Chamber with the added resources needed to better represent, educate, advocate and legislate for o

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