Morning Mix: Obama Eyes Business Tax Credits, BP Spill Costs Rise

Small businesses should make every day Labor Day: One of the best ways for small business to thrive is showing appreciation to workers, not just once a year, but every day. (USA Today)

Schumer wants business card rules tightened: Banks are pitching small business credit cards to consumers because they’re exempt from some of the financial reform regulations recently passed by Congress. Senator Chuck Schumer wants that stopped. (Bloomberg)

Obama eyes business tax breaks: Still scrambling to find a formula to boost the economy, President Barack Obama is considering a proposal that would make permanent tax breaks for businesses’ research and development activity. (Bloomberg)

Spill cost rises: BP says the cost of responding to the massive gusher that erupted when the Deepwater rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico now stands at $8 billion. (Financial Times)

Samsung’s smart phone push: The number 2 cell phone maker has sold more smart phones than expected, and will double its shipment of Android-based phones next year. (Reuters)

Justice Department sues Arpaio: The U.S. Justice Department has sued Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to try to determine whether the Arizona lawman has violated immigrants civil rights in his sweeps for illegal aliens. (Washington Post)

Egg recall may bring buying changes: The recent egg recall has retail giants like Costco eying their own procedures for buying produce. (Des Moines Register)

More business intelligence from Portfolio.com

Debt on the menu: Here's something for Burger King franchisees to ponder as the company is sold. Who will end up paying for the bank debt the new owners will acquire?

The "New Normal": Full-time, permanent positions are tougher to find these days, especially if you’re among the millions of long-term unemployed. One way to break through the mix and earn money in the process is to seek a temporary position in a new industry.

A real fixer-upper: As home sales continue to be consistently inconsistent, remodelers are seizing the opportunity and seeing an uptick in business.