Gridlock possible even with GOP majority
NEW YORK » The shift in power in Congress may give small businesses help with taxes and regulations, but there’s little expectation that sweeping changes are in store. In fact, more gridlock could be on the way.
Although Republicans won a majority in the Senate in Tuesday’s election, Democrats have enough votes to prevent GOP leadership from cutting off filibusters aimed at stalling legislation. And President Barack Obama can veto bills. That could result in little getting accomplished.
But the approaching 2016 presidential election might motivate lawmakers to come up with legislation Democrats and Republicans can agree on, says Todd McCracken, president of the National Small Business Association. He expects less fighting over spending bills than in recent years.
230,000 jobs added in October, survey says
WASHINGTON » U.S. companies added 230,000 jobs in October, a private survey said, the most in four months and a sign that businesses are still willing to hire despite signs of slowing growth overseas.
Payroll processer ADP said Wednesday that the job gains were slightly ahead of the 225,000 added in September, which was revised up from an initial estimate of 213,000. Job gains above 200,000 are usually enough to lower the unemployment rate.
FDA plan would test multiple Ebola drugs
NEW ORLEANS » The quest for an Ebola treatment is picking up speed. U.S. officials have unveiled a plan to test multiple drugs at once, in an umbrella study with a single comparison group to give fast answers on what works.
"This is novel for us" and is an approach pioneered by cancer researchers, said Dr. Luciana Borio, head of the Food and Drug Administration’s Ebola response. "We need to learn what helps and what hurts" and speed treatments to patients, she said.
She outlined the plan Wednesday at an American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference. Thousands of scientists have crowded into day and late-night sessions on Ebola, which has killed nearly 5,000 West Africans this year.
ON THE MOVE
Kamehameha Schools’ board of trustees has announced Livingston “Jack” Wong as chief executive officer of the educational trust. Wong has served as interim CEO since April. Wong joined Kamehameha in 1997 and was previously a vice president for legal affairs as well as director of the schools’ endowment legal division.
James Campbell Co. has appointed Marie Oh Huber to its board of directors. Huber is a senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Agilent Technologies Inc.
The Oceanic Institute at Hawaii Pacific University has announced that molecular biologist Brett Olds has joined its team. He will focus on invertebrate health and development as well as investigate the microbial community associated with marine fish culture. Olds will also help use molecular-based tools to improve Pacific white shrimp in OI-HPU’s selective breeding program.
