WIPP Legislative and Regulatory News

Ø WIPP Submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the matter of XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. authority to merge. Click here to read the comments.

Ø The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (H.R. 2206), was passed by Congress and signed into law May 25. WIPP worked on several provisions which were included in the final bill, which contains several important victories for small business and for WIPP. The bill contained a $4.8 billion tax break package for small businesses. One of the provisions that WIPP advocated for in the Small Business Tax Break package was included in the final bill. The WIPP-backed provision calls for the extension of Section 179 expensing to be extended through 2008 and the expensing limit was increased to $125,000. The bill also contained language for Women’s Business Center (WBC) grant renewal, so that all successful WBCs will be able to apply for renewable grant funding on a 3-year cycle. Thanks to the WIPP members who took action on these issues throughout the past weeks as these are important victories for WIPP.

Ø The WIPP Maryland Instant Impact Team will hold its next team conference call to discuss issues and the upcoming meeting with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) on July 18 at 9:30am eastern. All MD WIPP members are welcome. Tune in learn more about WIPP’s MD efforts. Team leaders for MD are Gloria Berthold, President, TargetGov, Elkridge, MD and Magdalah Silva, President, DMS International, Inc., Silver Spring, MD. To learn more and to RSVP email info@targetgov.com.

Ø Note from Gloria: If you are NOT a WIPP member and would like to dial in and see what this is all about, I would be happy to have you as my guest. Please send me an email to info@targetgov.com and let me know.

Ø Are You Ready for the Exaflood? Click here to connect to a short video from the Fiber to the Home Council to learn about the changing needs of the Internet and how it will affect your business.