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ABA Offers Comments to Robinson-Patman Act Panel

The American Booksellers Association was recently invited to offer comments before a committee appointed by Congress to look at U.S. federal antitrust law with the view of updating it. The Antitrust Modernization Commission Robinson-Patman Act Panel asked ABA to offer comments because of the association's past lawsuits against major publishers and bookstore chains Barnes & Noble and Borders, which were filed under provisions of the act.

House Passes AHP Legislation

On Tuesday, July 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The Small Business Health Fairness Act (H.R. 525), legislation that would allow for the creation of Association Health Plans (AHPs). AHPs would enable small businesses to band together across state lines through bona fide trade and professional associations to purchase affordable health packages for themselves and their employees. The bill passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 263 - 165.

James Patterson on the PageTurner Awards

In early July, author James Patterson and Time Warner Book Group announced the debut of the James Patterson PageTurner Awards, annual cash prizes totaling $75,000, intended to single out and support the people, companies, schools, and other institutions that find original and effective ways to promote the excitement of books.

James Patterson PageTurner Awards -- Recognizing People & Institutions Promoting the Excitement of Books

Authors interested in thanking literacy advocates, whether they're booksellers, librarians, or English teachers, typically do so on a book's acknowledgementspage. However, to show his appreciation, bestselling author James Patterson is upping the ante.

ABA Town Hall Meeting: E-Fairness, AHPs, and Damaged Shipments

ABA President Mitchell Kaplan, outgoing Vice President Suzy Staubach, and incoming Vice President Russ Lawrence at the Town Hall Meeting.

ABA's Town Hall Meeting, held on Friday, June 3, at BookExpo America in New York City, was dominated by discussions of e-fairness, health insurance for small businesses, and the issue of damaged shi

Senate Committees Hold AHP Hearings

The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (SBC) and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) each held hearings last week regarding Association Health Plans (AHPs) and the small business health care crisis. AHPs would enable small businesses to band together across state lines through bona fide trade and professional associations to purchase affordable health packages for themselves and their employees.

Helping Mississippi Read

The state of Mississippi, while home to generations of literary giants, ranks at or close to last of all state literacy rates and the dollar amounts spent on each pupil in its public school system. High poverty levels and a lack of funding for remediation, materials, and teacher training all contribute to the critical problem.

Reading Promotion Partners Meet in Washington for Idea Exchange

The Center for the Book

NFIB Urges Small Businesses to Contact Lawmakers Re: AHPs

In February, legislation that would provide small businesses with access to greater health insurance options and lower premiums by allowing for the creation of Association Health Plans was introduced in both the House and Senate.

Maine Senator Introduces Association Health Plan Legislation

On Wednesday, February 16, Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced in the Senate "The Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005" (S.406), which looks to "help small businesses access greater health insurance options and lower premiums" by allowing for the creation of Association Health Plans (AHP). The bill was co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group of 10 senators, including Senators Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) and John McCain (R-AZ). Following its introduction into the Senate, S.

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