October 2015
Monthly Member Exchange Meetings
Speaker: Tim Nitti, Founder, GeoAnalytics Consulting
Topic: Leveraging Community Assets for Effective Economic Development

Tuesday, October 13 - Infrastructure and Land Use:
Speaker: Greg Slater, Director, Office of Planning & Preliminary Engineering, State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of Transportation
Topic: The Future of I-270

Speaker: Panelists from the Maryland General Assembly House of Delegates 
David Fraser-Hidalgo, District 15
Marc Korman, Delegate, District 16
David Moon, Delegate, District 20
Maric� Morales, Delegate, District 19
Andrew Platt, Delegate, District 17
Will Smith, Delegate, District 20
Topic: Looking Ahead to the 2016 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session
 
Meeting notices are sent by email approximately one week prior to the event. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. View the MCCC calendar for upcoming meetings. 
MCCC Orientation - October 9, 8:30-10:30am
The MCCC Orientation is an opportunity for current and prospective members to learn about the programs and events that MCCC offers and how to leverage your Chamber membership. The Orientation is free and allows time for networking - bring your business cards! RSVP!
Chamber After Hours - October 14, 5:30-7:00pm
Join us at the MCCC Chamber After Hours at Gordon Biersch in Rockville for professional networking in a casual atmosphere. The MCCC Government Contracting Network will be celebrating the end of the government contractor fiscal year and connect with teaming partners for the year ahead. Register here.
Future Events
MCCC Business EXCELerator - November 4, 8:00-10:15am


The MCCC Business EXCELerator Series is a combination of the Small Business and GovConNet Member Exchange Meetings and is a benefit for MCCC Member Companies. The series is a how-to on best business practices for growth and success. Participants are welcome to attend one or both presentations held back to back. 

November Topic: Health Care Coverage and Employee Insurance Benefits

Presentation 1: 8:00-9:00am
"Individual and Small Business Health Coverage Options from the State of Maryland" 
Betty Vassilaros, Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Manager for Maryland Health Benefit Exchange 

Presentation 2: 9:15-10:15am
"Insurance Benefits for Government Contractors" 
Joseph ("Jody") Buyalos, ACBC, Executive Vice President & Employee Benefits, The Insurance Exchange, Inc.

MCCC 2015 Business Awards Dinner
   - November 19, 5:30-9:00pm


Connect with the most influential business and government leaders in the region for a celebration of innovation, achievement, and commitment to the community. Find out more here.
 Economic Development
Oct 8, 8:00-9:00am
 MCCC Orientation
Oct 9, 8:30-10:30am
 Infrastructure and Land Use
Oct 13, 8:00-9:30am
 Chamber After Hours
Oct 14, 5:30-7:00pm
 Legislative Affairs
Oct 16, 8:00-9:00am
NEWS

Learn More About MCCC
govConNet
Your Federal Procurement Connection & Resource
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Green Certified
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Advocacy
Below are legislative updates that are most relevant to you and your business this month:
 
STATE:
  • Regulatory Reform Commission: Governor Hogan appointed a Regulatory Reform Commission. Send your comments with specific examples to the Commission by October 13. Read MCCC's Action Alert for more information.
     
  • Wynne Income Tax Case: The US Supreme Court has ruled that Maryland's income tax system - specifically its application of county income taxes - is unconstitutional and must be altered to grant more credits for Maryland residents' out-of-state income. Read more here.
     
  • Augustine Commission: Maryland Economic Development and Business Climate Commission (Augustine Commission) has reconvened and has been meeting throughout the fall to focus on taxes. The MCCC Business Environment Council sent a letter with a number of recommendations for the Commission to consider.  
     
  • Retirement Security Commission: The Leadership of the General Assembly has established a Retirement Security Commission. "Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) and House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said the 19-member commission, which consists of legislators, business owners and experts in pension plans and retirement programs, will provide recommendations to the General Assembly for legislative consideration in January." - The Washington Post, 9/15/15 
     
  • MD Department of Commerce: Governor Hogan announced the formation of the Maryland Department of Commerce and appointed Mike Gill the state's first Secretary of Commerce. Read about it here. 
 
FEDERAL:
  • SBA Final Rule on Sole Source Authority: The SBA issued a final rule to integrate a sole source component into the women-owned small businesses procurement program effective on October 14, 2015. Read more here. 
     
  • Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors: President Obama signed an Executive Order requiring federal contractors to offer their employees up to seven days of paid sick leave per year. Find out more here.

COUNTY:
  • Transit Task Force: The Transit Task Force established by County Executive Ike Leggett issued a Draft Report on an Independent Transit Authority. Find it here. 
     
  • Doing Business with the County: On October 15, the Government Operations & Economic Development (PHED) Health & Human Services (HHS) Fiscal Policy (GO) committee will hear from the Procurement Task Force and Minority Owned Business Task Force. 
MCCC's priorities are Economic Competitiveness, Infrastructure Investment and Business Opportunities for our members. For more information about our advocacy work, visit our Advocacy Page.


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