The Business Advocate April 2009 - Tempe Chamber of Commerce

Annual Luncheon 2008Tempe Chamber staff and leadership welcomed Robert and Kim Kiyosaki to the 2008 AnnualLuncheon at the Buttes in Tempe. During this event the Tempe Chamber shared its vision forthe upcoming year, unveiled its new website and introduced the incoming Board of Directorsand Committee Chairs.The Tempe Chamber of Commerceprovides FREE links to our members’ websites.If your business has a website and would liketo have a free link, please contactRenée Lopata at renee@tempechamber.org.From left to right: Marilyn Joyce, Kim Kiyosaki, Mary Lou Bessette, Robert Kiyosaki, Mary Ann Miller.Outgoing Tempe Chamber of CommerceChairwoman of the Board Mary Lou Bessette(right) receives an award for her service to theChamber from incoming Chair Marilyn Joyce atthe 2008 Annual Luncheon.Robert and Kim Kiyosaki address theaudience as they share tips which havemade them financial gurus.Photography by Crazy Harry Photography, www.crazy-harry.com, (480) 200-7297.ON THE CHAMBER’S WEBSITEThe following is a list of ten of the most frequentlydisplayed members from the Membership Directoryshown most often during the month of June.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.M&I BankDowntown Tempe Community, Inc.Tempe Community CouncilUnited Food BankKPMGCampbell, Schoneberger & Assoc.Children’s Dental VillageSouthwest AirlinesFirst Horizon Home LoansThe Library Bar and GrillTOTAL HITS FOR THE MONTH:98,654MOST ACTIVE DATE:Monday, June 9, 2008 with 8,598 hitsTHE CHAMBER NUMBERSLegislative Session in ReviewWorkers’ Compensation. A person receiving workers’ comp benefits for partial disability and for whomemployment would have been available but for the person’s “misconduct” (defined) will have the amountof benefits reduced. Similarly, if the person is found to be unable to return to or continue to work after theinjury due to misconduct, the person’s benefits may be reduced. Misconduct is defined to include repeatedabsence from work without good cause, intoxication, failure to take or failure to pass a drug or alcohol test,dishonesty or material falsification.One issue that didn’t clear the legislature in the waning hours of the session was a permanent repeal ofthe state equalization property tax. Several lawmakers attempted to place a repeal of the property tax on theballot since it was vetoed twice this year by Governor Napolitano but the initiative didn’t receive the requirednumber of signatures to get on the ballot. It could have been a negotiating part of the budget but for somereason it was not included.Another issue that failed was an effort to create an Arizona Temporary Worker Program. Although theprogram would need Congressional authorization, the idea failed to clear the legislature before lawmakerswent home.There is little doubt that the Legislature will be called into special session in the near future to address arevenue shortfall expected to be worse than what was planned in the budget.If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Mayorga, Vice President of Public Affairs, @ (480) 736-4282or catherine@tempechamber.orgLOBBY VISITS: 23PHONE AND EMAIL INQUIRIES: 986REFERRALS/CHAMBER INFORMATION: 257CITY INFORMATION: 261RELOCATION INFORMATION: 28CHAMBER EVENTS: 411VISITORS: 29www.tempechamber.orgBecome A Tempe ChamberPreferred Member!The Tempe Chamber offers a valuable opportunity forour existing members – a Preferred Membership thatprovides more than $500 in new benefits for only anadditional $300 annual investment in your Chamber!Take advantage of this offer and increase yourChamber visibility and benefits! For moreinformation about the Preferred Membership, pleasecontact Renée Lopata at (480) 736-4284 orrenee@tempechamber.org.August 2008 : Business Advocate3