1. Call to Action: The U.S. Department of Transportation is taking comments regarding the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.  They are proposing rule changes.   Most of the changes are positive with a few causing some concern.  Opponents to this program (anti-diversity demons) are very active in submitting their comments.  Proponents are encouraged to get involved.  Comments can be submitted until 11:59PM on December 24, 2012.  Please submit on behalf of your organization or business.  Here are the guidelines and a template for your review.

2. Plans to end the SBA? It has been brought to our attention that Senate bill S.2129 and House bill H.R. 4409 may be attempts to close down the Small Business Administration and merge all business related programs under the proposed “Secretary of Business”.  These proposed pieces of legislation have not had much traction so far.  However, we expect a “steam roll” beginning early with the 113^th Congress in January.  Remember, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions”.

3. Tickets to the Inauguration: We have been getting an increasing number of calls asking about how one can obtain tickets to the upcoming Inauguration ceremony in January.  The holders of the tickets are the honorable members of Congress.  Simply write your two senators and respective congressperson requesting tickets.  Your chances of getting some are greater with Republican members as their demand will not be as high.  It is on a first come, first served basis.  Don’t hesitate.

4.  EPA does it Again: The Environment Protection Agency has published a final rule for fine particulate matters that lowers the current National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) by 20%.  This will declare significant amounts of communities across the nation to now be in “nonattainment”.  Nonattainment means that no more development can take place as in business openings and job creation.  This hurts!

5.  It is Senator Tim Scott! We are very excited to learn that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley named Congressman Tim Scott to succeed the senate seat made vacant with the departure of Senator Jim DeMint.  Congratulations Senator Scott and we look forward to great leadership and success coming from the gentleman from the Palmetto State.

6.  Traveling to Dubai? We welcome our latest international chapter of the NBCC.  It is the Middle Eastern/North African Chamber of Commerce which is founded by Dr. Robert E. Reams.  Welcome to our family Dr. Reams!

7. The Real Story of Slavery Abolition: Many of us were taught that the Emancipation Proclamation was the vehicle that ended slavery in our great nation.  That just isn’t true.  We recommend that you go see the movie by Steven Spielberg entitled “Lincoln” which shows that the real hero was the Thirteenth Amendment.  This movie is fantastic!