ALG urges House Republicans to reject any tax increase from Supercommittee

ALG urges House Republicans to reject any tax increase from Supercommittee

Nov. 9, 2011, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today in a letter urged House Republicans to reject any tax increase deal that may come from the so-called congressional Supercommittee.

"The American people are deeply concerned that a gargantuan tax increase will be included in that proposal," Wilson wrote.

He is encouraging members to sign a Republican Study Committee letter against more taxes so that "members of the Joint Select Committee understand that any tax increase will be dead on arrival in the House of Representatives."

"We don't have a problem that we tax too little, we have a problem that we spend too much," Wilson wrote, noting that since 2007, spending has increased $1.043 trillion, but that revenues had only dropped $393 billion "[w]ith tax rates essentially the same," accounting for an aggregate $1.436 trillion increase in the deficit since then.

"That means 72.6 percent of the problem is too much spending, and at least 72.6 percent of the solution must be dramatic spending reductions. The other 27.4 percent of the solution then must entail economic growth, job creation and encouraging investment here in America," he wrote.

Western Growers: RUSSELL PEARCE DEFEATED IN AZ RECALL

RUSSELL PEARCE DEFEATED IN AZ RECALL
In an unprecedented recall election yesterday, Arizona State Senator and Senate President Russell Pearce lost his seat to challenger Jerry Lewis. With 100% of all 16 precincts counted and an unknown number of early and provisional ballots left to tally, Lewis has garnered 54% of the vote while Pearce has 45%.
“This is great day for all the people in Arizona,” said Robby Barkley of Barkley Ag Enterprises in Yuma.

Media reports are calling the Pearce defeat a referendum on immigration policies and a rebuke of Pearce’s hard-line stance on the issue. “This will help move the legislature out of gridlock over the issue of illegal immigration,” said Will Rousseau of Rousseau Farming Company upon hearing the results of the election. “It is also a great day in the history of Arizona politics.”

Pearce conceded the race last night, but there is still no word on when the Senate caucus will meet to select a new president. It is expected that election will be held within the next week.

ends, discussions, viable solutions: FRESHCONEX Business Forum 2012

Trends, discussions, viable solutions:
FRESHCONEX Business Forum 2012

Berlin, 9 November 2011 – The FRESHCONEX 2012 Business Forum on 8-10 February offers fresh produce convenience experts a first-class platform with information and discussions focusing on current industry trends. The featured topics over the three days of the trade show range from "New opportunities in marketing for fresh produce convenience" (8.2.) to "Food safety" (9.2.) and "Technology and new product development" (10.2.). The FRESCONEX Business Forum offers excellent opportunities to share in-depth information and exchange ideas with guest speakers and international industry representatives.

The FRESHCONEX Business Forum is staged in Hall 7.2b and is fully integrated into the exhibition area which means that it is included in the FRESHCONEX admission price. The Business Forum presentations will be simultaneously translated into German and English.

FRESHCONEX is organised by Messe Berlin GmbH. The Business Forum is presented by Fresh Convenience Magazine (London) and the United Fresh Produce Association (USA).
Information updates for the FRESHCONEX Business Forum are available online: www.freshconex.com / Events.


Wednesday, 8 February 2012
New opportunities in marketing for fresh produce convenience

11.00-11.30: New markets for fresh produce convenience products
Fresh convenience products have become everyday consumer items in many countries across Europe. Which markets still offer potential for the development of fresh produce convenience?

12.00-12.30: Market solutions for fresh produce convenience in Nordic markets
Nordic markets present their own challenges to suppliers of fresh produce convenience products. What do buyers in these countries want? And what specific demands do shoppers have?

14.00-14.30: New opportunities for regional processors
Large international fresh produce convenience processors are looking for regional or local solutions to help keep their customers supplied. It adds up to important new business for smaller processors to plug into a major international network. Just how big are these opportunities? What developments can we expect?

15.00-15.30: Beyond retail: building your brand for a total consumer experience
Fresh produce convenience brands are growing in new food service and 'out of home' promotions. How big are the potential gains for brands in these new markets? What success stories are taking place at traditional retail from these new opportunities? Have consumers provided feedback to these non-traditional purchase experiences?

Thursday, 9 February 2012
Food safety

11.00-11.30: Learning the lessons of the food safety crisis
Last summer’s e-coli crisis was focused on Germany. It demonstrated the key requirement of food safety and traceability. What key lessons does the business need to learn? Does the fresh produce convenience sector face any particular challenges?

12.00-12.30: Next steps to food safety audit harmonization
Food safety audit harmonization represents a key challenge for the business. How far down the road to harmonization are we? What obstacles remain in the way?
14.00-14.30: Using the media for food safety
Information is crucial in the debate about food safety. Business always needs to work closely with the relevant authorities. But is there also more of a role for the press and for social media? Should they also be part of the information flow?

15.00-15.30: The role of new technologies in food safety
New technologies have a role to play in food safety. Shelf-life extension, product preservation, products washes and rinses are all coming into the picture. Do these technologies help food safety in fresh produce convenience?


Friday, 10 February 2012
Technology and new product development

11.00-11.30: Fresh produce convenience and new seed technology
New seed technology is making changes throughout the supply chain. It can start with the manufacturers. How are they developing new seed products for the fresh produce convenience business? What are the latest innovations?

12.00-12.30: New product mixes for fresh produce convenience processors
Fresh produce convenience processors are developing new products mixes to create new marketing opportunities. What are some of the newest developments?

14.00-14.30: New technologies to improve shelf life and product quality
Shelf life is critically important to the future growth of the fresh produce convenience sector. How can new technologies help to extend shelf life? What are the next steps to extend shelf life even further? What impact will these technologies have on product quality?

Worldwide trade visitor canvassing started

Worldwide trade visitor canvassing started

Early planning for a successful visit

Berlin, 9 November 2011 – With the start of global trade visitor canvassing for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2012, comprehensive information has been made available online to more than 56,000 potential trade visitors from over 130 countries at www.fruitlogistica.com. Trade visitors can now start planning their visit to the fair, request details about exhibiting companies, learn about the supporting programme, and book early to save money on flights and hotel rooms.

Taking place in Berlin on 8-10 February 2012, the world's leading trade fair for the fresh fruit and vegetable business presents a complete market overview of the products and services offered by the international fresh produce trade. More than 2,400 exhibitors from over 80 countries guarantee excellent opportunities to establish global business contacts. Accompanying the trade fair is a first-class conference programme focusing on the latest industry challenges and trends. The presence of key decision-makers at the event makes a visit to FRUIT LOGISTICA 2012 extremely efficient – especially when it comes to lowering annual travel expenses.

Tips for trade fair planning

Messe Berlin has developed a Visitor Guide for industry representatives along with comprehensive online offers and service tools to facilitate planning and preparation for a successful trade fair visit.

The FRUIT LOGISTICA Visitor Guide contains information about the trade event along with numerous tips, a checklist and appointment calendar for planning ahead. The guide is available for download from the Visitor Service section on the FRUIT LOGISTICA website. This is where fairgoers will find information from affiliated companies offering Berlin travel packages and hotel reservations.

The Virtual Market Place (www.fruitlogistica.com / Exhibitor Search) is an indispensible tool when it comes to planning. This web platform contains complete details on FRUIT LOGISTICA exhibitors. Throughout the year, trade fair visitors, journalists and produce industry players can use the Virtual Market Place to contact these companies directly and find out about their products and services. FRUIT LOGISTICA participants can also use the online appointment calendar to set up meetings with exhibiting companies ahead of time and plan their trade fair rounds online.

Visitor information

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2012 and FRESHCONEX 2012, the international trade fair for fresh produce convenience, are open daily on 8-10 February from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. Tickets are available at special rates from the Online Ticket Shop (www.fruitlogistica.com > Visitor Service > Tickets & Registration). A one-day ticket sells for EUR 25 and a permanent pass costs EUR 55. One-day tickets cost EUR 32 at the gate. An event pass costs EUR 73 at the gate. An event pass with access to the Fresh Produce Forum costs EUR 85.00. All tickets include a catalogue along with admission to the Hall Forum events and to FRESHCONEX.

NFIB Research Foundation: Health Insurance Tax to Cost 125,000 to 249,000 Private-Sector Jobs

NFIB Research Foundation: Health Insurance Tax to Cost 125,000 to 249,000 Private-Sector Jobs
Small Business to Shoulder 59 Percent of Job Losses

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 9, 2011 —The National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation today released its study highlighting the private-sector job loss that will result from the Health Insurance Tax (HIT). Relying upon independent cost estimates, the Research Foundation’s BSIM (Business Size Impact Module) highlights how the rise in cost of employer-sponsored insurance stemming from the HIT will result in a reduction in private sector employment by 125,000 to 249,000 jobs in 2021, with 59 percent of those losses falling on small business.
“As NFIB has been working to garner Congressional support to repeal the HIT and protect small business, these BSIM numbers spell out the real-world impact that this tax will have on job creators,” said Susan Eckerly, NFIB Senior Vice President of Federal Public Policy. “It really is astounding to think that this one provision in the health-care law will target small business and result in 125,000 to 249,000 jobs lost. It’s imperative that Congress work to pass legislation to repeal this tax to not only protect private-sector job creation, but also to protect American families.”
The BSIM is a dynamic, multi-region forecasting model that analyzes the impact of policy “shocks” on the economy and is unique in ability among models to forecast the economic impact of such policy on U.S. businesses differentiated by size of the firm. For this purpose, the BSIM adhered to the Small Business Administration definition of “small business” as firms with fewer than 500 employees. Additionally, while this is a national study, the NFIB Research Department was also able to break out the impact on a state by state basis with nine sample states. The full study can be read here, and the highlights viewed below:
BSIM National Job Loss and Sales Lost Projection: 125,000 to 249,000 jobs and $18 to $30 billion in sales
Colorado: 2,500 jobs lost by 2021 (1,300 in small business); $1 billion in sales lost for Colorado small business
Illinois: 2,500 jobs lost by 2021 (1,500 in small business); $1.4 billion in sales lost for Illinois small business
Ohio: 2,500 jobs lost by 2021 (1,600 in small business); $1.1 billion is sales lost for Ohio small business
Florida: 4,700 jobs lost by 2021 (2,800 in small business); $1.7 billion in sales lost for Florida small business
New York: 2,000 jobs lost by 2021 (1,600 in small business); $1.9 billion in sales lost for New York small business
Pennsylvania: 2,200 jobs lost by 2021 (1,600 small business); $1 billion in sales lost for Pennsylvania small business
California: 11,500 jobs lost by 2021 (6,800 small business); $7.4 billion in sales lost for California small business
Texas: 6,000 jobs lost by 2021 (3,300 small business); $3.1 billion in sales lost for Texas small business
Wisconsin: 2,300 jobs lost by 2021 (1,500 small business); $830 million in sales lost for Wisconsin small business
The Health Insurance Tax is a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that was levied on insurance companies, but will be passed on to those who buy health coverage in the fully-insured marketplace where nearly all small-business owners and the self-employed purchase coverage. When the tax officially goes into effect in 2014, it will cost small-business owners, their employees and the self-employed, $87 billion in the first ten years and $208 billion in the following ten years; the tax impacts 2 million small businesses, 12 million employees and the self-employed who purchase in the individual market and 26 million employees who are covered by their employer, resulting in a cost of nearly $5,000 per family over a decade.