Monday's business and finance report
WA DFI: Notice Regarding Phishing Scam Targeting EDGAR Filers
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is aware of reports of malicious emails sent to some EDGAR filers that appear to be part of a phishing campaign to compromise company network systems and obtain access to non-public information. The malicious emails purport to be communications from the SEC about changes to Form 10-K and sometimes contain malicious attachments. Clicking on the attachment(s) results in an attempt to install malware designed to obtain unauthorized access to the recipient’s computer and/or network.
Please be advised that the SEC has not made any recent changes to Form 10-K and has not notified filers that changes have been made. Such emails purporting to be from the SEC should be deleted and your network administrator or information security personnel should be notified.
http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumer/alerts/notice-regarding-phishing-scam-targeting-edgar-filers
In other business and finance news
USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2017 - Acting Deputy Agriculture Secretary Michael Young today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $15 million in technical and financial assistance to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands. Restored wetlands improve water quality downstream and improve wildlife habitat, while also providing flood prevention and recreational benefits to communities.
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2017/03/09/usda-seeks-project-proposals-protect-and-restore-critical-wetlands
The Benefits of Helping Great Plains Trees - One Diagnosis at a Time
It began as a causal conversation in a hotel lobby in Kansas. After a day of discussions during the annual meeting of the Great Plains Tree Pest Council , the after-hours talk turned to the idea of updating the 1986 Diseases of Trees in the Great Plains manual.
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/03/09/benefits-helping-great-plains-trees-one-diagnosis-time
Celebrating International School Meals Day 2017
Just like reading, writing and arithmetic, making healthy food choices is a learned behavior. And as with those vital academic skills, schools also play an important role in helping students build a healthy foundation for their lives through sound nutrition – not just here in the U.S. but in schools around the world.
International School Meals Day, held on March 9 this year, provides a wonderful opportunity to highlight that fact by raising awareness of nutritious school meals and their importance to the health of our kids. In fact, nearly every country provides some form of school meal for about 368 million children each school day worldwide, including more than 30 million children here in the U.S. through USDA’s National School Lunch Program. And International School Meals Day brings the world a little closer, helping kids understand the importance of healthy nutrition to a healthy future.
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/03/08/celebrating-international-school-meals-day-2017
In Conversation with #WomeninAg: Kelly Stange
Every month, USDA shares the story of a woman in agriculture who is leading the industry and helping other women succeed along the way. In honor of International Women’s Day, today we hear from Kelly Stange, an Agricultural Counselor for Germany, Austria, Hungary & Slovenia with USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service who started her career on a Missouri family dairy farm and working in University Extension.
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/03/08/conversation-womeninag-kelly-stange
From the US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
State of American Business: Getting More People to Save for Retirement
While the rise of the Millennial generation has drawn much discussion in business, politics, and culture, it misses the on-going demographic change underway in the U.S.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/state-american-business-getting-more-people-save-retirement
Getting Tax Reform Done—and Done Right
In the relationship between government and business, no issue is more fundamental, impactful, or important to get right than taxation. It’s one of government’s oldest responsibilities and one of business’ biggest expenses. Taxes are a critical factor in most major decisions a company makes—including whether to expand, hire new workers, or invest in new technologies. Unfortunately, America has one of the most burdensome tax systems in the world. That is why we must seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul our tax code in a way that promotes dynamic economic growth.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/getting-tax-reform-done-and-done-right
America's Infrastructure Was Just Graded A D+ — Here’s What We Should Do About It
Today, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its latest Infrastructure Report Card, a periodic assessment of the condition of our nation’s infrastructure system, including roads, bridges, waterways, railways, public transit, and more.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/americas-infrastructure-was-just-graded-d-here-s-what-we-should-do-about-it
Capital Formation Springs Forward on Capitol Hill
A recent running joke has been that the “Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock would have gotten awfully bored in Washington over the last several years as much of the legislative process ground to a halt. After all, what can you teach the young people about our Constitutional system of government when you’re just hanging out in a House or Senate cloak room, or get stuck in committee for months on end?
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/capital-formation-springs-forward-capitol-hill
America’s Strength in Services Promises Trade Success
George Orwell famously wrote that “to see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.” This statement is certainly true for the vast and often overlooked world of trade in services. Consider:
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/americas-strength-services-promises-trade-success
U.S. Chamber Optimistic about House GOP Health Reform Proposal
Now that Republicans in the House of Representatives released their health care reform bill, everyone is offering their take.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/us-chamber-optimistic-about-house-gop-health-reform-proposal
US TREASURY DEPT: Secretary of the Treasury Announces Senior Staff
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the appointment of several key senior staff members who will serve Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin as he begins his tenure.
"I am pleased to have these highly capable and accomplished individuals join my Treasury leadership team," said Secretary Mnuchin. "I look forward to having their valuable input and leadership as we move President Trump's ambitious economic growth agenda forward on behalf of the American public."
https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0025.aspx
US LABOR DEPT:
Program Helped Louisville Youth to Rebuild His Life
To say that James Hooten overcame early mistakes in life would be a monumental understatement. A better description would be to say that he recognized his transgressions, regrouped with help from the U.S. Department of Labor’s YouthBuild program, and then persevered amid all the obstacles meant to keep him down.
https://blog.dol.gov/2017/03/09/program-helped-louisville-youth-rebuild-his-life
US LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING TO PROVIDE JOB, LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO DISADVANTAGED YOUTH
WASHINGTON – For many of our nation’s at-risk youth, getting educated and starting a successful career are goals often out of reach. Across the U.S., YouthBuild programs seek to help these young people reach their full potential by providing critical job skills in construction to help propel them towards professional success.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20170309-0
US LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF NEARLY $500K IN GRANTS TO HELP NATIVE HAWAIIANS, ALASKA NATIVE YOUTH DEVELOP STEM JOB SKILLS
What: The U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of $497,000 in funding to serve Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Native youth and young adults, ages 14-24, to develop skills needed for high-growth, in-demand occupations and industries.
These grants are designed specifically to provide skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields. They aim to increase Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native enrollment in STEM-related certificate and degree programs, as well as provide education mentoring programs and work experience in STEM-related professions.
Who: Public and private nonprofit organizations, tribal organizations, American Indian tribal colleges or universities, and institutions of higher education are eligible. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20170309-1
IRS NEWS
IRS Seeks Applications for Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is seeking qualified applicants for nomination to the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC).
The ETAAC provides an organized public forum for discussion of electronic tax administration issues, such as prevention of identity theft and refund fraud in support of the overriding goal that paperless filing should be the preferred and most convenient method of filing tax and information returns. ETAAC members work closely with the Security Summit, a joint effort of the IRS, state tax administrators and tax industry to fight electronic fraud.
https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/irs-seeks-applications-for-electronic-tax-administration-advisory-committee
Program Report and 2017 Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List
The Internal Revenue Service’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Program Office has issued its annual program report, which details how LITCs have provided representation, education, and advocacy for taxpayers who are low income or speak English as a second language (ESL).
https://www.irs.gov/uac/program-report-and-2017-publication-4134-low-income-taxpayer-clinic-list
Tax Time Guide: Protect Personal, Financial, Tax Information and Computers
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to be cautious and protect personal, financial and tax information, particularly at tax time.
https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/tax-time-guide-protect-personal-financial-tax-information-and-computers
US COMMERCE DEPT: Secretary Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. and Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal Announce New Efforts to Resolve Mexican Sugar Export Issues
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. and his Mexican Counterpart Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal announced a renewed effort to resolve ongoing issues with Mexican sugar export and anti-bunching limits.
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2017/03/secretary-wilbur-l-ross-jr-and-secretary-ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal
THE FED: The Federal Reserve Board announced on Friday it will seek to fine and prohibit Fang Fang and Timothy Fletcher, two former managing directors at J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited, from working in the banking industry for their participation in a referral hiring program that violated anti-bribery law.
Fang and Fletcher are alleged to have offered internships and other employment opportunities to individuals referred by foreign officials, clients, and prospective clients in order to obtain improper business advantages in violation of firm policies and U.S. anti-bribery law. In addition to permanently prohibiting them from the banking industry, the Board seeks to impose a $1 million fine against Fang and a $500,000 fine against Fletcher.
The enforcement proceedings against Fang and Fletcher follow the Board's November 2016 enforcement actions against JPMorgan Chase & Co. for unsafe and unsound practices related to the firm's referral hiring program. The Board required JPMorgan Chase & Co. to pay $61.9 million in penalties for control deficiencies related to the firm's referral hiring practices and anti-bribery policies.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/enforcement/20170310a.htm
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.----Romans 8:28 NIV
FREE bible studies offer by World Bible School
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
News Notebook
Puget Sound Business Journal: Amazon fills up another new downtown Seattle office building: Tilt49
The rumors have been swirling for several months that Amazon.com was leasing a big office building in the Denny Triangle of downtown Seattle, and now the company confirms it's true.
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2017/03/13/amazon-fills-up-another-new-downtown-seattle.html
