The minimum wage in Montana will be increasing by $0.30 on January 1, 2012. This increase puts Montana $0.40 above the federal minimum wage. Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Arizona are among the other states that will be increasing the minimum wage in 2012. Along with Arizona, Montana has the 8th highest minimum wage. Here is a look at where Montana sits in comparison to the rest of the U.S.
$7.25 Federal Minimum Wage, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina
$5.15 Wyoming
$6.25 Arkansas
$7.25 Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Georgia
$7.31 Florida
$7.40 Michigan, Rhode Island
$7.50 Maine, New Mexico
$7.64 Colorado
$7.65 Montana, Arizona
$7.70 Ohio
$7.75 Alaska
$8.00 California, Massachusettes
$8.15 Vermont
$8.25 Illinois, Connecticut, Nevada
$8.80 Oregon
$9.04 Washington
“As the cost of living continues to increase, the law passed by Montanans in 2006, helps those making minimum wage keep their head above water,” said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. The Montana minimun wage will increase from $7.35 to $7.65 on January 1st 2012.
The increase is based on an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from August 2010 to August 2011. The CPI for the preceding year was 3.8%. Thus, the calculation used for determining the minimum wage rate for 2012 is: $7.35 X .038% = $.28, rounded to $0.30
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
10 Months of Winter: Bozeman Montana's Winter Recreation
What is your favorite thing to do in the winter? Put on your Forever Lazy and read a book...Hike the ridge and cut fresh tracks down the mountain...Eat peppermint ice cream and hot chocolate? Whatever it is, you will find Bozeman to be an active community during Montana's 10 months of winter.
Here are 10 activities to keep you entertained as the snow falls.
1. ICE GLIDING: AKA ice skating or for those less graceful, ice falling, is a popular activity to keep you in shape during the holiday season. Beall, Bogert and Southside City Parks offer public ice skating access.
2. BOBCAT SPORTS: Spend an evening cheering on the Bobcat Men's and Women's basketball teams. The Bobcats will be running sidelines until March 2012.
3. SKIING: One of the most beloved sports of Gallatin Valley. Whether you ride down the mountain on a one , two or three skis, downhill skiing is a community favorite. If you don't have a need for speed you can also find access to many local cross country ski trails.
4. WARM SPRINGS: Dethaw yourself after a day in the snow by visiting Norris or Bozeman Hot Springs. There is nothing better than relaxing in the natural springs of Montana. There is something special in the water here.
5. HOCKEY: Montana does not host a professional sports team. This however, allows us to put our full attention into our college athletic programs as well as the Bozeman Icedogs. The Icedogs are a Junior A Tier III hockey club in Bozeman. Support the team and attend a game this season.
6. SNOWMOBILING: Hop on your snowmobile and head west. You will find many trails to ride as you navigate the canyon toward Big Sky or hit up the party at the 2012 West Yellowstone Snowmobile Expo.
7. ICE CLIMBING: Yes! Ice climbing has been a secret passion for many Bozemanites for decades. Hyalite Canyon was discovered as the home to "the most reliable and concentrated ice climbing in the United States" in the 70s. Join the daring at next year's Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival.
8. VISIT THE THEATER: The Ellen Theater in Downtown Bozeman will provide you with cozy entertainment throughout the year. Reserve your ticket to White Christmas The Musical today.
9. SING SING SING: Screaming Monkey Productions travels the Valley offering a vocal outlet for the best and worst in karaoke talent. From Belgrade to Three Forks find a local pub and let your jingle bells rock.
10. ICE FISHING: Yet another frozen water sport...Grab your auger and fishing pole and head up to Hyalite Canyon. Ice fishing begins the end of December. Put your snow tires on!
Here are 10 activities to keep you entertained as the snow falls.
1. ICE GLIDING: AKA ice skating or for those less graceful, ice falling, is a popular activity to keep you in shape during the holiday season. Beall, Bogert and Southside City Parks offer public ice skating access.
2. BOBCAT SPORTS: Spend an evening cheering on the Bobcat Men's and Women's basketball teams. The Bobcats will be running sidelines until March 2012.
3. SKIING: One of the most beloved sports of Gallatin Valley. Whether you ride down the mountain on a one , two or three skis, downhill skiing is a community favorite. If you don't have a need for speed you can also find access to many local cross country ski trails.
4. WARM SPRINGS: Dethaw yourself after a day in the snow by visiting Norris or Bozeman Hot Springs. There is nothing better than relaxing in the natural springs of Montana. There is something special in the water here.
5. HOCKEY: Montana does not host a professional sports team. This however, allows us to put our full attention into our college athletic programs as well as the Bozeman Icedogs. The Icedogs are a Junior A Tier III hockey club in Bozeman. Support the team and attend a game this season.
6. SNOWMOBILING: Hop on your snowmobile and head west. You will find many trails to ride as you navigate the canyon toward Big Sky or hit up the party at the 2012 West Yellowstone Snowmobile Expo.
7. ICE CLIMBING: Yes! Ice climbing has been a secret passion for many Bozemanites for decades. Hyalite Canyon was discovered as the home to "the most reliable and concentrated ice climbing in the United States" in the 70s. Join the daring at next year's Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival.
8. VISIT THE THEATER: The Ellen Theater in Downtown Bozeman will provide you with cozy entertainment throughout the year. Reserve your ticket to White Christmas The Musical today.
9. SING SING SING: Screaming Monkey Productions travels the Valley offering a vocal outlet for the best and worst in karaoke talent. From Belgrade to Three Forks find a local pub and let your jingle bells rock.
10. ICE FISHING: Yet another frozen water sport...Grab your auger and fishing pole and head up to Hyalite Canyon. Ice fishing begins the end of December. Put your snow tires on!
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Golden 5 of Direct Filing
The Golden 5 of Direct Filing
Direct Filing: Direct filing (of Customs entries and Importer Security Filing [ISF] in-house) was a concept introduced to the industry by proactive importers and a powerful tool developed by Customs automation experts. Prior to today’s disruptive innovation, an importer’s only feasible option for Customs clearance was to outsource the transaction to a Customs Broker. Importers’ now have direct access to solutions enabling them to eliminate the unnecessary intermediary and improve supply chain efficiency, lower costs, and avoid unnecessary Customs penalties. Best of all, it is available in the cloud; track your shipments from any computer with an Internet connection.
5 – Technology Minimizes Time
From a comprehensive parts database, templates for repetitive entries, auto-fill capabilities, manifest visibility and immediate CBP status updates, the entry management process can now be fully automated. Today’s IT has reduced the time it takes to file: complete an ISF in seconds, an entry in minutes.
4 - You Already Prep & Audit the Filing
The majority of US importers are already providing the essential entry and ISF data to the broker’s agency and completing a post entry audit. In most cases, an employee of the brokerage firm simply reformats the data and pushes a button to send it to CBP. Streamlining the process in-house will improve your productivity and take pressure off your internal resources. An employee of the importer of record does not need Customs broker’s license to direct file.
3 – Be First in Line
Unfortunately, competing interests exist inside brokerage firms. Nine times out of ten, “your” broker will address the needs of the largest importer first, leaving the small- and medium-sized importers on hold. Utilize your expertise in-house; you own the information and have it when you need it.
2 – Cost Savings
Direct filing can drastically reduce an importer's cost to clear their goods. A broker's bill is sometimes a "laundry list" of random charges and can result in a total entry and ISF cost upwards of $225. Filing in-house can cost as little as $20 per entry and $3 per ISF.
1 – You are the Ultimate Expert of Your Business
No one knows more about your product line or the goods than your own employees. From classification to import practices, employees typically have access to detailed information about the product being imported as well as the intuition to understand what is correct or incorrect when it comes to entry data. No one will take greater care in the preparation and processing of an entry than your own employees, which will ultimately lead to fewer mistakes and higher levels of compliance.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Who Can See My What? Manifest Data Security
Do you import into the U.S.? If so, Google your company name and the word "imports". WOW! There it is, your bill of lading information on display and ready to be purchased by your competition or even worse, theives.
Keep Your Manifest Data Secure
Data-collecting companies such as PIERS, Zepol and Import Genius can access importer's manifest information and potentially share it with your competitors. The Freedom of Information Act states that cargo manifest data is public information, allowing companies to access and dispense information you may think is private.
Import Data Confidentiality
Public manifest information includes:
Although legally an importer's manifest data can be shared, importers have the ability to request manifest confidentiality. TRG recommends keeping your import information confidential. Since your voyage and product information is public, thieves can target your plane or boat. Confidentiality can help prevent theft since your voyage and product information will not be easily accessible. This also allows you to keep
your private business practices from your competitors.
Requesting Manifest Confidentiality
Previously, importers could request this online, however as of March 2011 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will only accept this request in writing. An importer's name or company's name and information on their entry documents are confidential to CBP. Under no circumstances would CBP disclose an importer's name and import information to the public. However, the privacy statute, 19 CFR 103.31 (d), allows the media to collect manifest data at every port of entry. Reporters collect and publish names of importers from vessel manifest data unless an importer/shipper requests confidentiality. The importer can submit a letter to the Privacy Branch requesting that their company name not be disclosed on the vessel manifest. The confidential protection is valid for 2 years, after which time a renewal is needed.
TRG Offers Free Manifest Data Security Assistance as part of our Customs Bond Loyalty Program
At your request, a TRG representative will assist you in removing your manifest information from databases available to your competitors. This needs to be done every two years. ImportShield also offers a solution to masking Bill of Lading information.
Have the following information available when you are ready to submit your request.
Keep Your Manifest Data Secure
Data-collecting companies such as PIERS, Zepol and Import Genius can access importer's manifest information and potentially share it with your competitors. The Freedom of Information Act states that cargo manifest data is public information, allowing companies to access and dispense information you may think is private.
Import Data Confidentiality
Public manifest information includes:
- Name and address
- General character of cargo
- Number of packages
- Gross weight
- Name of the vessel, aircraft, or carrier
- Seaport or airport of loading and of discharge
- Country of origin
- Trademarks appearing on the goods or packages
Although legally an importer's manifest data can be shared, importers have the ability to request manifest confidentiality. TRG recommends keeping your import information confidential. Since your voyage and product information is public, thieves can target your plane or boat. Confidentiality can help prevent theft since your voyage and product information will not be easily accessible. This also allows you to keep
your private business practices from your competitors.
Requesting Manifest Confidentiality
Previously, importers could request this online, however as of March 2011 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will only accept this request in writing. An importer's name or company's name and information on their entry documents are confidential to CBP. Under no circumstances would CBP disclose an importer's name and import information to the public. However, the privacy statute, 19 CFR 103.31 (d), allows the media to collect manifest data at every port of entry. Reporters collect and publish names of importers from vessel manifest data unless an importer/shipper requests confidentiality. The importer can submit a letter to the Privacy Branch requesting that their company name not be disclosed on the vessel manifest. The confidential protection is valid for 2 years, after which time a renewal is needed.
TRG Offers Free Manifest Data Security Assistance as part of our Customs Bond Loyalty Program
At your request, a TRG representative will assist you in removing your manifest information from databases available to your competitors. This needs to be done every two years. ImportShield also offers a solution to masking Bill of Lading information.
Have the following information available when you are ready to submit your request.
- Importer's name, address
- Contact phone and email
- Requestor’s role (importer, consignee, U.S. shipper)
- Relationship of party making request (1st party, on behalf of self or company, or 3rd party agent or representative)
- Date of submission
- Type of confidentiality (imports, exports, or both)
- Tax ID number
- Any variation of names to be protected