Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[Soul Washer]

Posted by: Soul Washer Date: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 12:03:31 AM
In reply to: sylvester80 who wrote msg# 462094 Post # of 469170

This is what we've been wanting...
everyone has an opportunity here..
to get free.


AT A GLANCE

Small-business incentives:
• Eliminating capital gains taxes on new investments in small businesses through 2010, if the investments are held for at least five years.
• Extension through 2010 of a law that allows small businesses to take immediate tax write-offs on up to $250,000 of qualified investments.
• An employment tax cut through 2010 to encourage small-business hiring.
• Making Small Business Administration loans more readily available, by eliminating fees and increasing federal loan guarantees in 2010.
Roads, bridges and other infrastructure
• Up to $50 billion in new spending on ready-to-go construction projects.
• New merit-based procedures to select infrastructure projects for financing.
Energy-efficiency investments:
• Rebates for homeowners to make energy-efficient improvements.
• Expansion of programs that use federal money to leverage private investments in industrial and manufacturing projects that use clean energy.
JOBS PICTURE NOW
Although the unemployment rate inched down to 10 percent in November from 10.2 percent in October, more of America's largest companies will shrink their staffs than will hire in the next six months, says a new survey by the Business Roundtable.
A Labor Department report Tuesday showed there were about 6.3 unemployed people, on average, for each job opening in October. Comparable November figures are not yet available.
LOCAL REACTION
Small business plays a large part in Tucson's economy, said Laura Shaw, vice president of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities.
"In general, most of the issues for small business have to do with financing," Shaw said Tuesday, adding:
"Anything that affects their bottom line more directly is a good thing: tax cuts, elimination of capital gains tax, elimination of fees on loans — all of this hits the sweet spot. It's what they need."