Policy Points
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| Health care forum reportCongress passes a huge, confusing, health care reform bill. Businesses scratch their heads and wonder what just happened.
That’s where your Chamber comes in.
Your Government Council hosted a health care reform forum this week to help answer your questions. Michael Nader from Baker & Daniels, John Kraft from Elkhart General Hospital, and Tom and Brian Housand from Tom Housand and Associates provided an overview of the new law. Guidance was offered about “grandfathering” current health care policies. The mandated inclusion of offspring, up to age 26, was also a major topic of discussion. Other timelines and employee limits were considered by the panel and audience.
Stay tuned for news about follow-up health-care forums that focus on plan design and healthy communities.
Photos from this event were posted on the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
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High-speed reportReaders of Policy Points know the INDOT-preferred high-speed rail route through Northern Indiana misses Elkhart/South Bend.
You may also be aware that INDOT has been mandated to consider a “hybrid” route that includes Elkhart/South Bend and then veers south to reach Ft. Wayne.
This week a group from this area, including your Chamber, traveled to Ft. Wayne to meet with their high-speed rail proponents to see if we could work together to promote high-speed rail.
One point raised was that the hybrid route, which includes both major metropolitan areas, will serve 1.7 million people instead of 1.3 million served by the chosen route. Stay tuned.
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Financial reform passesCongress passed, and the President signed, a financial reform bill. Here is an article. When we were in DC, our lawmakers told us this was going to happen.
While financial “reform” is a good thing in concept, this new law may cause more problems than it solves. In addition, it creates a new bureaucracy with its own set of employees and regulations.
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Job fair Aug. 24Congressman Joe Donnelly is hosting a job fair to connect businesses with potential workers Tuesday, August 24, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m at the IUSB Student Activities Center, 1700 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend. Work One will also be in attendance to offer job counseling.
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Chamber leading on environmental issuesFrom time to time, groups try to “borrow” the Chamber brand to promote issues that don’t reflect your needs. The latest involves and environmental group that is trying to promote its own vision of carbon restrictions. Here is a letter from a Chamber colleague.
This letter is helpful because it explains who is trying to mis-represent the Chamber name and it also shows the pro-planet action the US Chamber has been taking with environmental issues.
In addition, you can be pleased that your Chamber has also been involved in a cleaner environment through hosing the annual Environment and Safety Conference, promoting air-quality action days, and with our monthly Environment Council meetings.
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Congressional actionReaders of Policy Points have been warned about the Disclose Act, which can limit your company’s right to speak about election issues. The US Senate may be voting on this next Tuesday. Read more here.
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Upcoming Chamber eventsFor more information or to register, visit our website.
July 29, Transportation Council INDOT Luncheon, 12:00 pm, Elcona Country Club. Members: $20, Non-Members: $30.
August 4, Technology Council: IT Connections Breakfast, 7:30 – 9:00 am, Greater Elkhart Chamber, 418 S. Main St., Elkhart. Chamber Members: $10, Non-Members: $15 (includes continental breakfast).
August 6, Bristol Business Council Open House, 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Russell Products, Inc., 17989 Commerce Dr., Bristol. Food, live music and refreshments!
August 10, Minority Business Network, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Elkhart Public Library, 300 S. 2nd St., Elkhart. Learn the basic essentials of writing a sound business plan. Guest speaker: Dean Hupp, SCORE Chairman. Admission free and open to the public. In attendance will be business owners, representatives from various financial institutions, and SCORE counselors. Call Bridget O’Toole (574) 293-1531 or Jim Pyles, Chairman (574) 264-1379 to let us know you are coming.
August 17, Facebook 101: Everything You’ve ever wanted to know about Facebook, 8:00 – 11:00 am (includes continental breakfast) or 1:00 – 4:00 pm (includes snacks), Greater Elkhart Chamber, 418 S. Main St. Bring a WiFi enabled laptop computer and summary of business objectives. Members: $25, Non-Members: $40.
August 18, Advanced Social Media: Facebook 201-Moving Beyond Basic Platforms to Enhance Your Marketing Strategy. 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Greater Elkhart Chamber, 418 S. Main St. Members: $35, Non-Members: $50. Note: Bring a WiFi enabled laptop to gain maximum value.
August 19, Chicago Cubs Game – Cubs vs. Padres, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm, chartered bus from Chamber to Chicago. Cost: $125 per person (includes bus ride and game).
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