Across the Board
Our biweekly Across the Board e-newsletter keeps you informed of Board of Trade activities. Members and non-members can subscribe.
December 5, 2007
Happy Holidays from the Board of Trade! From everyone at the Board of Trade, we wish you a joyous Holiday Season and a happy and healthy New Year. This an exciting and productive year for the region and the Board of Trade. We look forward to working with you in 2008 to continue improving our region’s business community.
Maryland General Assembly’s Special Session Closes. The Maryland General Assembly ended its special session with legislators having approved $1.4 billion in new revenues, including a November 2008 referendum that, if passed, will legalize 15,000 slot machines to help fund education. $400 million in new transportation funds, to be derived from transportation-related revenue sources, was also approved. Other revenue sources approved during the session include: a corporate income tax increase from 7% to 8.25% targeted for the general fund and higher education; a sales taxes increase from 5% to 6% with transportation receiving about 50% of these revenues; and a titling tax increase from 5% to 6% with full trade-in allowance. Legislators also approved a bill to study combined reporting and other alternative methods of calculating corporate taxes and granted Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts $50 million that will come from titling taxes and other existing revenue sources. Questions?
Senator Saslaw Addresses Members. The Board of Trade hosted new Virginia Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw at a luncheon sponsored by McGuireWoods LLP. Sen. Saslaw discussed the results of the state-wide election in November and how the shift in political power will affect the 2008 legislative session. He focused on the importance of education, immigration and transportation issues, noting that there may be proposals to adjust abusive driver fines in the transportation funding package passed in 2007. The Board of Trade will continue to focus on transportation, emergency preparedness, workforce and environmental issues during the 2008 legislative session. Questions?
Strong and Growing Stronger! The Board of Trade is pleased to welcome a distinguished group of new members, including IBM Corporation; Major, Lindsey, & Africa; Mintz Levin and TW Perry. To further strengthen our diverse network of members, we look forward to welcoming even more regional business leaders to the Board of Trade throughout the winter. If you know of a firm that would benefit from Board of Trade membership, please contact Kevin O’Neill at 202.857.5960. New Members
Executive Networks Graduates 25 Senior Level Executives. On Dec. 3, twenty-five of Greater Washington’s rising corporate and civic leaders graduated from Executive Networks, a business boot camp for regional executives. The graduation of the 2007 Class of Executive Networks marked the culmination of the three-month program in which leaders learned about and discussed critical regional issues. An intimate reception and dinner honored the graduates and recognized the alumni who crafted this year’s content. Keynote speaker Michael Chasen, President & CEO of Blackboard, Inc., spoke about the importance of creating solid business relationships during the growth of his company. More about Executive Networks View Photos
Upcoming Programs and Events
2007 Annual Meeting. Online registration is now closed, but walk-in registration will be available at the Board of Trade’s 2007 Annual Meeting this Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Hilton Washington. Since 1889, the Board of Trade has gathered Greater Washington's business community together to celebrate the year's accomplishments. Please join Chair Barbara Krumsiek and Chair-Elect William Couper for a networking reception and luncheon, featuring an address by NBC News White House Correspondent Kelly O'Donnell. More Info
December’s @ Six Networking Reception. Please join fellow Board of Trade members on Wednesday, Dec. 19 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Board of Trade for the final @Six Networking Reception of the year! We are excited to welcome you for an open house so you can see where we work and also meet our collaborative partners: Junior Achievement, United Way of the National Capital Area, Leadership Greater Washington and Greater DC Cares. Enjoy holiday treats and celebrate the season at the Board of Trade offices. Register
