Government:


  Thinking Ahead–Letter from Chaille: Fighting the Federal Government - Pallet and lumber companies need to realize that the current downturn may be an ideal time to look at workplace practices that could cause legal problems one day if the feds ever come knocking on the door.  (9/1/2009)

  Congress Debates Key Legislation: Hardwood Lobbyist Provides Analysis - Interview on Hardwood Legislation: Chaille interviews Deb Hawkinson, executive director of the Hardwood Federation, about status of major hardwood legislation.  (9/1/2009)

  Don’t Forget Uncle Sam! Congress Passed Major Business Tax Breaks in 2008 - Tax Saving Hints: Recent government changes can help you shave some off your tax bill; read how you can avoid tipping Uncle Sam.  (3/1/2009)

  Steps and Insights for Becoming a Federal Government Contractor - Government Contracting: Covers the basics of becoming a government contractor so that you, too, might be able to seek some assistance from the President’s economic stimulus package.   (3/1/2009)

  New Administration Offers Industry Mixed Bag -- How Will Obama’s Change Impact Your Pocketbook? - Obama’s Impact: Find out how an Obama presidency is likely to affect your business and the overall forest products industry.  (12/1/2008)

  Letter from Ed -- What — Me Worry? - Conservative, free-market values have not failed. Our poor execution of them and excessive government intrusion has created less than ideal market conditions.  (12/1/2008)

  America Needs ‘National Will to Win’ in Order to Gain Energy Independence: We Have Sufficient Natural Resources - Energy: Hardwood Publishing Co. executive George Barrett writes about our latest energy crisis, saying the U.S. must increase domestic energy production from traditional sources.  (10/1/2008)

  Letter from Ed: Real Fixes to Real Problems - No matter who is running for office some problems seem too hard for Washington to handle. Presidents and Congress put band-aids on major issues.  (10/1/2008)

  When Localities Strike: City Health and Zoning Boards Can Make a Tough Job Tougher - Zoning: Local government zoning regulations can significantly impact pallet and sawmill businesses; a look at potential zoning restrictions and how to navigate the local red tape.  (12/1/2007)

  Power Shift – Democrats Win Big, What Does the New Congress Bring? - Power Shift: Democrats won big in the November elections, capturing control of both the House and Senate; what does the shift in power mean for the U.S. forest products industry?  (12/1/2006)

  Employer Responsibility Clarified When Immigrant Worker Records Don’t Jive - Immigrant Issues: Federal government to allow electronic documentation of key work authorization verification form, proposes rule to clarify responsibility of employers in case of discrepancy in records.  (8/1/2006)

  Letter to the Publisher: Do Away with Most Immigrant Labor - One reader takes a look at the somewhat confusing issue of immigrant labor.  (7/1/2006)

  IFCO Raids Bring Immigration Law To Forefront - IFCO Immigration Raids: Federal officials arrest hundreds of illegal immigrants working at IFCO Systems plants in raids in 26 states; seven managers charged with helping undocumented workers falsify their identities.  (6/1/2006)

  Thinking Ahead–Letter from Chaille: The Challenge of Human Nature - The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is continuing its investigation although it remains to be seen if any more criminal charges will be filed against IFCO managers.   (6/1/2006)

  Letter from Ed: Looking to the Government for Leadership? - Everyone seems to be looking to the government for a solution. But the problem is that even longstanding allies are divided about what is the best possible solution about the issue of illegal immigration.  (5/1/2006)

  Responsibility Starts Here — At the Polls - Cast an Informed Vote  (9/1/2004)

  Finding the Equilibrium Point - The momentum for tax cuts and reducing the size of the federal bureaucracy came to an end when President Bush announced his plan to develop a new Homeland Security Department.   (6/28/2002)

  Happy New Year in International Packaging - This year promises to be exciting on the export pallet front as the world move closer to a global standard. Dr. Brindley discusses the likely changes coming down the road.  (1/7/2002)

  Letter from Ed: Apathy — Freedom’s Kiss of Death - Our society runs more off symbolism than it does substance. I pray that most readers view their responsibilities more seriously and vote their convictions this November.  (10/1/2000)

  Letter from Ed: What’s Happening In the Woods? - U.S. government officials claim to have broken the gridlock on the forest debate, but what is the truth behind Clinton’s Northwest Forest Plan?  (3/1/2000)