Government and Economy Local Economies – Local Currencies Borrowing from a Depression-era idea, more and more communities are aiming to help consumers make ends meet and support struggling local businesses by printing and circulating their own currencies. USAToday.com Energy Tax Breaks to Benefit Small Businesses...Eventually It may take a little while, but most of the small business energy incentives in the economic-stimulus plan will eventually trickle down from state and local governments. WSJ.com Management and Financial Issues [Read Full Article]

  Government and Economy When Will the $730 Million in SBA Funding be Spent? The Small Business Administration is getting a much-needed financial shot in the arm from the stimulus bill, but local leaders and business owners are still waiting to see how that funding might help them. Bradenton.com Nation’s Economic Woes Likely to Spur Climb in FraudKroll Global Fraud Report says companies with high employee turnover and weak internal controls are more vulnerable, while high-risk business ventures also lead to more corrupt business practices. WorkForce Management Management and Financial Issues [Read Full Article]

  Government and Economy Obama's Small View of Small Business When it was released, the budget President Obama unveiled sparked a war of words all over the capital. The disagreements were so profound on a host of topics—including small business—that it’s almost as if people were looking at two entirely different documents. Reuters/Front Row Washington blog SBA's 'Goodwill' Leaves Much to be Desired Business brokers are worried that the SBA's new loan cap rule will jeopardize entrepreneurship. WashingtonPost.com Management and Financial Issues [Read Full Article]

Government and Economy Obama: Workers and Businesses Must Serve and Sacrifice The president's inaugural address praise for American workers and entrepreneurs may serve him well as employers brace for a spate of pro-union legislation and health care reform. Schapiro: Time to Sarbox Small BusinessThe incoming SEC chief is calling for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance for smaller companies. The law mandates that publicly traded companies—and some private ones with public debt—get independent certification that they have reliable internal controls over their financial reporting. [Read Full Article]

Government and Economy The Obama Rescue Plan President-elect Obama's economic stimulus plan is still coming together, but the goals are clear: To spur the economy and create jobs by spending hundreds of billions of dollars on infrastructure, state budget relief, safety nets for the needy and tax cuts. Here is where things stand. Business Groups File Suit to Block E-Verify Business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, have filed a federal lawsuit to block a new rule requiring federal contractors to use the E-Verify system to check their employees’ eligibility to work in the US. The law is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 15. [Read Full Article]

Government and Economy Obama May Expand Jobless Benefits President-elect Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats are considering a major expansion of government-assisted health care insurance and unemployment benefits. Cities Easing Sign Restrictions A number of communities are lifting—or are considering relaxing—restrictions on sidewalk signs and banners to help shore up businesses struggling to survive a recession that has both slowed consumer spending and depleted municipal tax revenue. Tech Giants Hunting for Cheap Startups With valuations sinking a... [Read Full Article]