Finance & Revenue

What’s happening? Austin TX dips its toe into guarantees income pilot program by committing $1+ million to study the creation of a guaranteed income program for most vulnerable populations

Why is this important? Other cities are finding the programs save them revenue. In Austin, the study will be with an ongoing pilot program conducted by the Family Independence Initiative, Up Together and other philanthropic groups

How will this be important? Austin is using part of COVID recovery funding

Austin Monitor | Council funds guaranteed income pilot program

What’s happening? A fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University says 15 states have introduced legislation supporting an interstate compact to cease funding economic development.

Why is this important? Supporters say it frees up billions in funding

How will this be important? Supporters also say that it would shore up the economy after COVID

Governing | The Billions Being Wasted in the Economic Development Subsidy Wars

What’s happening? Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak proposed emerging technologies be given the freedom to develop autonomous districts to diversify Nevada’s tourism-driven economy.

Why is this important? Draft legislation would permit a company to qualify for an innovation zone if it owned at least 50,000 acres of land and invested at least $1.25 billion over 10 years.

How will this be important? Local governments are concerned about granting companies governance authority.

Route Fifty | Cryptocurrency Company Makes Case for Running its Own Local Government

What is happening? Libraries across the country are diversifying to include things like radon detectors, telescopes, museum passes, decorative art, taxidermies animals, puzzles, board games, tools, sewing machines, air fryers,

Why is this important? The old is new again, Newark NJ library in 1904 had art in its collection that could be loaned out like a book.

How will this be important? Library of Things programs are grant funded and continue the ethos of libraries to encourage learning.

Route Fifty | Now Available at the Local Library: Basketballs, Air Fryers and Taxidermied Animals

What’s happening? OH had a vaccine lottery that awarded prizes and scholarships for people got vaccinated. The result: 114,553+ people got vaccines that probably wouldn’t have otherwise

Why is this important? Does your state or business need a way to motivated people to get vaccinated.

How will this be important? OH remains below 50% vaccination rate

Route Fifty | One State’s Covid-19 Vaccine Lottery Prompted More Than 100,000 People To Get Vaccinated

What is happening? Local governments are utilizing CARES Act fund to provide hazard pay for service during the pandemic for government employees and “gratitude grants” for grocery workers.

• in Cairo, Georgia is giving $1,500 to public safety employees and $1,000 to municipal workers for a total of $178,000
• Thomas County GA is setting aside $6 million and calculating bonuses based on the formula
• Hagerstown, Maryland, is awarding $5,000 bonuses to full-time city employees
• in Alabama, Birmingham and Mobile each plan on giving $5,000 to full-time and $2,500 to part-time staff
• Oxnard, CA is using ARPA funding to give $1,000 bonuses to eligible grocery workers
•  Florida and Minnesota have approved premium pay for workers statewide

Why is this important? Journal of the American Medical Association says workers like sanitation workers, farm workers and grocery store employees are 25% low income and 13% high risk households.

How will this be important? Treasury Department guidance says that premium pay includes “government employees and private sector workers such as nursing home staff and home care workers, and workers at farms, food production facilities, grocery stores and restaurants.”

Route Fifty | Governments Doling Out Bonuses for Public Employees, ‘Gratitude Grants’ for Grocery Workers

What’s happening? In the 1960s President Richard Nixon is said to have supported universal basic income. We’ve seen cities like Stockton, CA find benefits from their universal basic income pilot project. Now New Mexico is considering adopting it statewide.

Why is this important? Las Cruces and Santa Fe are moving toward universal basic income. Santa Fe will pilot a program that they’ll call a “stability stipend” to provide 100 people under age 30 who have children and are attending Santa Fe Community College with monthly payments of at least $400.

How will this be important? it’s not as red/blue as you think. “Alaska has long offered its full-time residents an annual dividend based on the investment earnings on mineral royalties” Add to that Nixon backed the idea before Milton Friedman became the go-to.

Albuquerque Journal via Governing | New Mexico Considers Statewide Universal Basic Income

What’s happening? Fort Scott, KS and its 8000 population have seen a decline in cable taxes so to make up for it, they want to implement a franchise fee for internet services like Netflix.

Why is this important? Local governments in  Missouri, Texas and Ohio are also pursuing a tax on streaming services.

How will this be important? If trends that show cable subscribers era decreasing that loss of revenue to local governments will have to be offset somehow.

Topeka Capital Journal via Governing | Why Is a Small Town in Kansas Suing Netflix and Hulu?

What’s happening? Meet the BIPOC Caucus that brings together what is often a coalition of caucuses.

Why is this important? The BIPOC caucus will have greater membership numbers than individual caucuses. The power of numbers.

How will this be important? Oregon isn’t the first state to create a BIPOC Caucus.

OPB | Oregon Legislature’s BIPOC caucus calls out Newberg School Board for effort to reverse anti-racist policies

What’s happening? Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson wants to walk back the statewide no mask mandate bill that passed this spring.

Why is this important? Arkansas is experiencing high COVID Delta rates and public support favors mask mandates in schools.

How will this be important? A litmus test for other No Mask Requirement Legislation.

Route Fifty | “I Wish It Had Not Become Law,” Says Governor Of Mask-Banning Order He Signed Into Law

What’s happening? If cities determined that oversight for condo buildings needs to move from condo associations to local governments the options include special assessment districts.

Why is this important? What can a special assessment district do?

•  levy a special charge on properties
• the special charge can be for a designated district or a single building
• it can cover a wide variety of public improvements
• the district bills either by owner or based on ad valorem property values
• The city can take out bank loans or sell bonds, at lower tax-exempt interest rates, to finance the improvements that are secured by the liens on the properties, thereby lowering costs

How will this be important? Aging infrastructure is real.

Governing | A Municipal Finance Tool to Avert Another Deadly Condo Collapse

What’s happening? Add Santa Rosa, California to the list of cities that may offer pension obligation bonds to shore up its pension liabilities. It can result in a win for the city if returns exceed the interest paid to bond holders.

Why is this important? Texas cities have talked about it.

How will this be important? Pension types say that the 2008 financial crisis will be felt in the pension world over the coming decade. Pension systems will be looking for ways to cover the disparities created during the 2008 event.

Santa Rose Press Democrat via Governing | Santa Rosa May Sell Bonds to Reduce Pension Liabilities

What’s happening? Texas and Florida are trying to determine if legislation that the states enacted to divest state funds from businesses that boycott Israel. The “boycott” at issue: Ben and Jerry’s made a business decision to not sell ice cream in Israel.

Why is this important? Let’s tie this to the post this week about Texas decline in best state to do business, does imposing political views on businesses sounds like the kind of state that makes you feel good?

How will this be important? If one of the pension systems, that invest in Unilever, which supports Israel and is Ben and Jerry’s parent company, divest from Ben and Jerry’s, then it seems reasonable to ask- what issue will be added to the code of behavior for Texas state funds.

Texas Public Radio | Texas Investigates Ben And Jerry’s For Potentially Boycotting Israel

What’s happening? CNBC listing for Best States to Do Business for years has had TX at the top. But, it fell. To #4.

Why is this important? CNBC added to it’s rankings ” life, health and inclusion” which this year included inclusiveness initiatives, health care resources, progress in ending the pandemic and other more traditional quality-of-life measures.

How will this be important? “This ranking is a compelling early warning signal that short-sighted, counterproductive policies risk eroding the progress over the past 30 plus years in building Texas to be the most competitive economy in the country,” said Perryman, president and chief executive officer of The Perryman Group. 

Dallas Morning News | Economist calls Texas’ slip from top three U.S. states for business ‘eerily disturbing’

What’s happening? Missouri has a new COVID vaccine incentive program that partners the Department of Health and Senior Services  with the Missouri Lottery to draw 180 winners who will win either $10,000 cash or $10,000 towards an education savings account. In total there will be 900 winners for the life of the incentive program.

Why is this important? Vaccine incentive programs are an interesting perspective at what motivates certain populations in certain states, especially effective incentive programs.

How will this be important? There is no limit to the potential partnerships with the state lottery.

Neosho Daily News | Missouri’s Vaccine Incentive Program promotes MO ABLE as an option for Missourians with disabilities

What’s happening? MA legalized cannabis creatively as we know and part of that was by creating a Social Equity Council that will play apart in determining licensure and distribution of revenue to impacted communities.

Why is this important? Times are changing, keep up or get left behind. The impact to communities now factors into decision making. Communities that have been disproportionately and negatively impacted by disproportionately higher incarceration rates, under MA Social Equity Council will see revenue returned to the community to build up the community.

How will this be important? Social Impact data tells us Gen Z and Millenials that outnumber Gen X and Boomers are concerned ab0ut impact. I’d wager a lot of Xers are too, it’s just our style to let the young ones talk about it.

Governing | Ned Lamont Appoints First Five Members to Marijuana Council

What’s happening? CA has added an additional $124 Million in film incentives to its $330 Million film incentive program and will include construction incentives like building sound stages

Why is this important? CA says the data shows the incentives work to keep films in CA

How will this be important? It is a test to see if GA and other states with film incentives will be competitive

Sacramento Bee | California filmmakers to get more tax breaks in new law. Do incentives keep shows here?

What’s happening? Economists watching MA are applauding its slow pacing to spending federal COVID funds.

Why is this important? States have until 2026 to spend the federal funding, while it must be allocated for spending by 2024. Economists say that studying state trends and needs helps maximize the impact of the COVID funding.

How will this be important? Many government projects take years of planning before building can occur which means the impact of the funds in communities may be years in the future.

Boston Herald | Economic experts back Massachusetts Legislature’s slow approach to spending federal coronavirus relief dollars

What’s happening? As people stop paying for cable, the fees/taxes associated with cable are a revenue loss for local governmental entities. To make up for this revenue loss, the proposal that gains ground is taxing streaming services.

Why is this important?

• Connecticut, Delaware, and Florida have passed a dedicated streaming service tax.
• Chicago applies its 9% amusement tax on streaming services
• OH is trying to apply the Fair Competition in Cable Operation Act to tax streaming
• Some Texas cities are trying to apply the Texas Video Service Providers Act to tax streaming services
• MO argues streaming should be taxed as  video service providers
• Courts are grappling with the above and lawsuits in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada, and Tennessee.

How will this be important? Some states tax right-of-way fees for internet access, taxing streaming services could be seen as a double taxation.

Tax Foundation | Cutting the Cord from Cable Has States Courting New Revenue Streams

What’s happening? A permitted use of federal COVID Relief funding is downtown development. Treasury Department Guidance for this use includes broad flexibility to build up disproportionately impacted communities.

Why is this important? COVID impacted real estate in downtown areas and also impacted BIOPIC communities disproportionately.

How will this be important? Legislative bodies have not finalized how they intend to utilize federal COVID relief funding.

Recast City via Governing | A Unique Opportunity for Racial Equity in Downtown Development

What’s happening? Minnesota chose 1 of 4 specific uses for COVID federal relief funds to provide payments to essential workers during the pandemic.

Why is this important? The legislation’s only requirement for essential worker is that long-term care workers be included. The final decision for who is included will be approved by a group of appointees created by the amendment.

How will this be important? Other states are grappling with how to appropriate federal relief funds.

MinnPost | Minnesota lawmakers approved cash bonuses for essential workers. Now they just need to figure out who’s going to get the money.

What’s happening? Governor Newsom signed SB 129 (2021 | CA) that is a $100 billion California Comeback Plan that includes:

•  immediate cash relief to middle class families and businesses hit hardest by the pandemic
•  biggest state tax rebate in American history
• largest small business relief package in the nation
• Confronts homelessness and the housing affordability crisis
• Transforms public schools into gateways of opportunity
• Bolsters wildfire resilience and tackling climate change
• Builds the infrastructure of the next century

Why is this important? California is providing the biggest tax breaks in the country.

How will this be important? The impact may be felt by other states if Californians stay in California.

Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom | California Roars Back: Governor Newsom Signs $100 Billion California Comeback Plan to Accelerate State’s Recovery and Tackle Persistent Challenges

What’s happening? Michigan Legislature voted to limit healthcare disaster declarations to 28 days unless the Legislature approves a longer timeline. The nifty tagline for the bill- Unlock Michigan.

Why is this important? Many legislatures looked to curtail the power of the Governor or their health care officials and require Legislative approval. In Michigan the Supreme Court has already ruled that the Governor exceeded her authority.

How will this be important? More states will consider reigning in declarations.

AP | “Unlock Michigan” goes to Legislature, 2nd drive will seek more restrictions on powers

What’s happening? Texas Comptroller is said to have changed the tax rules to “source sales tax revenue from online purchases to the buyer’s location instead of the seller’s place of business.”

Why is this important? Well, if the county is Williamson County and relied on the sales tax generated by the seller, Dell Computers, that’s a hit to your county sales tax revenues.

How will this be important? It’s one of the many examples that details matter when you write laws and rules, the words have an impact. In this case, the impact is Williamson County is suing the State Comptroller of the change in tax rules.

Community Impact | City of Round Rock files suit against Texas Comptroller over changes to sales tax rules

What’s happening? Some say there is a shortage of workers in certain fields. Some say workers are looking for living wages. In the Great Depression states created Apprentice Programs to fill this gap. Apprentices are paid from day one, and employers cover any costs of education required. At the end of the apprenticeship the employee gains licensure and the employer finds that the newly licensed employee stays longer than a new college graduate.

Why is this important? The process benefits the employee who doesn’t incur higher education debt, and benefits the employer who gains a loyal employee.

How will this be important? These programs are working successfully in 27 states. That leaves 23 states.

Governing | States Expand Apprenticeship Programs as Worker Shortages Grow

What’s happening? Florida has a Freedom Week which means no sales tax one athletic tickets, recreational purchases, live music, in-theater movies, cultural events and entrance to museums and state parks, outdoor equipment as tents, grills, bicycles, kayaks and fishing gear

Why is this important? Sales tax holiday expansions are popular. Massachusetts is contemplating a months long sales tax holiday.

How will this be important? Looking for some populist goodwill for your state, here you go.

CBS 4 Miami | Just Hours Left Of Florida’s ‘Freedom Week’ Sales Tax Holiday

What’s happening? Arizona Gaming Commission set fees for tribes and operators at $750,00o initial license and $150,000 renewal. Arizona legislature legalized sports betting earlier this year and anticipate betting by September 9th.

Why is this important? Some states put license fees in statute, some delegate the fee amounts to the state agency incharge.

How will this be important? Anyone working in this field worth their mettle, are keeping tabs on licensing fees around the country. Add this one to the list.

AZ Central | Arizona reveals costs for professional teams, tribes to get licenses for sports betting

What’s happening? Illinois stopped its online sports betting registration that it began during COVID. When the state removed online registration, immediately a $30 million cut to the monthly sports betting handle

Why is this important? The revenue decreases did not occur in other states that have online registration.

How will this be important? As more data is known, it will impact how states that have yet to legalize sports betting handle things like online registration.

The Lineup | As Illinois Removes Online Registration Sports Betting Revenue Trends Down

What’s happening? All states tax sports gaming revenue based on taxes on gross gaming revenue. Most states do not allow operators to take deductions.

Why is this important?  Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia allow specific deductions for promotions, losses, and/or federal excise taxes paid, aligning their tax more with a gross receipts tax.

How will this be important? Sports betting is going to expand, and successful tax systems will be replicated and tweaked. So treat this as your roadmap.

Tax Foundation | Large Spread in Tax Treatment of Sports Betting Operators

What’s happening? NY regulators had determined that donors to non-profits should be disclosed, and then the Legislature reversed that decision.

Why is this important? The disclosure came about with a budget amendment that required political advocacy nonprofits, filed as 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organizations, to submit financial disclosure reports if they’ve spent more than $10,000 in communications endorsing or opposing legislation

How will this be important? Dark Money. should it be fixed? should there be disclosures? Is the reversal in NY telling?

NYN Media | State legislature passes bill undoing NY’s new donor disclosure requirement

What’s happening? Wisconsin approved creating a stand alone HR department for the Legislature that will handle complaints about lawmakers, including the resolution of any investigation, while keeping all information confidential.

Why is this important? WI is reacting to years long complaints about sexual harassment by elected officials.

How will this be important? Legislatures across the country are trying to figure out how to tackle this issue

AP | Legislature’s plans for new HR office raises concerns

What’s happening? The Massachusetts Governor has proposed that the 2 day sales tax holiday to be extended to a 2 month sales tax holiday.

Why is this important? The extended sales tax holiday is aimed at jumpstarting the economy and providing help to small businesses and consumers.

How will this be important? The states revenue projections are 15% ahead, giving the state revenue reserves to afford the extended sales tax holiday.

Ap | Baker files legislation proposing 2-month sales tax holiday

What’s happening? Let’s play keeping up with the Jones, but it’s keeping up the governments. The US spends 2.4% of its GDP on Infrastructure.

Why is this important? The EU spends 5%. China spends 9%.

How will this be important? It is harder for smaller cities to maintain aging infrastructure, and revenue sources like property taxes are not keeping up with maintenance costs.

Governing | Small Cities Can’t Manage the High Cost of Old Infrastructure

What’s happening? Decades ago New Jersey removed new hires and some local governmental entities from he state pension system. Now the state is considering adding them back.

Why is this important? Itis a compounding of scenarios. (1) The Governor has promised that the state will make its first full funding payment to the pension in 25 years. (2) A fiscal note on one of the bills says it will save money based on pension accounting and administrative costs (3) Federal COVID dollars may mean more contributions

How will this be important? If successful, will other states take note

Politico | State may allow some workers back into pension system, a decade after they were removed

What’s happening? Schools in TX were getting PTA funds donated to pay for positions in the schools. Then the pandemic hit and well, things changed. So, in 2021, Texas Legislature approved an amendment on HB 1525 (2021 | TX) that sought to say- if a school got PTA donations for funding specific positions, those funds had to be spent for that purpose within the time period specified. Then Austin ISD said the budget will be approved before the bill I approved, so it won’t apply to this upcoming school year.

Why is this important? An Attorney General opinion has been requested to clarify this.

How will this be important? The Attorney General Opinion will determine not only how and when PTA donated funds can be used but also sets the tone for how to interpret similarly drafted laws in the future.

TX Attorney General Opinion Request RQ-0411 (2021)

What’s happening? 4 states, Arizona, Florida, Utah and Wyoming, have sandbox programs that allow companies to test prototypes without getting a state license.

Why is this important? In none of these 4 states ,is there an active business in the sandbox.

How will this be important? The hurdle to explain how sandboxes help innovation is higher. Lousiana wouldn’t let sandbox bill out of committee.

Route Fifty | Relaxed Rules Attract Entrepreneurs to State ‘Sandboxes’

What’s happening? Mobile, Alabama is proposing bosses for its workers that worked through the COVID pandemic. $5000 for full time employees and $2500 for part time employees.

Why is this important? Mobile is following in the foot steps of Birmingham, Alabama and will be funded with federal relief for COVID-19

How will this be important? Premium pay for essential (city) workers is a permitted use of COVID relief funds.

Governing | Mobile Wants to Give City Employees COVID Bonuses

What’s happening? Louisiana first asked its voters to decide whether each parish would allow sports betting 55 said yes. This year, the Legislature passed rules for sports betting. There will be 20 licenses, regulation will be by the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, and mobile betting is a go. SB 247 (2021 | LA)

Why is this important? Preemptive voter approval, approval through Indian gaming compacts, or approval by adding sports betting to the state budget. States are passing sports betting in creative ways.

How will this be important? Louisiana staggered tax rates, so let’s take notes. 10% tax collected on wagering at onsite locations and a 15% tax on wagering through mobile apps. It also dedicates 25% of tax revenues to early learning programs for children

AP | Louisiana lawmakers OK sports betting rules, send to Edwards

What’s happening? A guy left his east coast home to visit his Mom in a flyover state. His phone then got a lot of ads for a toothpaste his Mom uses, but they never discussed and he never googled. He tweeted. It got retweeted over 160,000 times. The tweet explains how tech companies can latch onto other devices on the same network- and viola’ random toothpaste ads. Or, like if my parents ever visited me, they’d be bombarded with organic gardening ads.

Why is this important? The proliferation of unwanted Internet ads and Big Tech’s staggering pandemic profits have fueled bipartisan efforts to tax digital ads

How will this be importation? There’s an appetite for these ads to stop, so there’s an appetite for these ads to be taxed.

Government Technology | Lawmakers on Right and Left Unite in Desire to Tax Online Ads

What’s happening? Colorado passed HB21- 1312 ( 2021 | CO) that among other taxes added a tax on streaming services by making streaming services subject to the state’s sales and use tax.

Why is this important? The number of jurisdictions taxing streaming services keeps increasing.

How will this be important? Taxation of streaming services is new and shiny and ripe for tax writers.

Colorado Sun | 5 big tax bills Colorado lawmakers passed this year that will affect your wallet

What’s happening? Arkansas SB 558 (2021 | AR) taxes internet ads to fund cyber crimes, specifically cyber crimes against children.Maryland was the first state to tax internet ads. 9 other states are now considering it.

Why is this important? Some say it is a way for politicians to air their frustration at tech companies.

How will this be important? This year its 9 new states entering these waters, expect those numbers to increase.

Stateline via Route Fifty | Internet Ads Are a Popular Tax Target for Both Parties

What’s happening? Looking at Oregon’s cannabis revenue, the pandemic strengthened cannabis revenue. The state had predicted the revenue to decrease as more entertainment venues open, and the revenues have stayed strong even as the state re-opens. Totals for the 2019-2021 biennium are expected to be$304 million. Revenues are expected to reach $462 million in 2027-2029

Why is this important? The same effect is reflected in Illinois cannabis revenue.

How will this be important? Continued data can support long term stability of the revenue.

Green Entrepreuer | Oregon’s Cannabis Market Has Become Stronger During The Pandemic

What’s happening? Florida handed sports betting to the Seminole Tribe. At the same time, the Legislature failed to pass any fantasy sports rules. But, the Seminole Compact now explicitly defines fantasy sports as a game of skill.

Why is this important? Hello unregulated, legal fantasy sports thanks to the Seminole Compact.

How will this be important? Is unregulated better than an available revenue source?

Florida Politics | Future looks good for fantasy sports games in Florida

What’s happening? Sustainable Investment Policies Act and the Retirees Sustainable Investment Opportunities Act

Why is this important? Together the bills would ” give workers a bigger say in where they invest their retirement savings by requiring large asset managers and plan investors and fiduciaries to take into account and explain to beneficiaries how they consider environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions”

How will this be important? The ESG pushing pension plans is happening from the pensions themselves (see California), by investors (see Blackrock) and now a push to include it in ERISA.

Ballotopedia | Economy and Society: Proposed legislation would further integrate ESG into retirement plans

What’s happening? Ohio is considering HB 157 (2021 | OH) which would prepaid a tax credit for local taxes imposed by the city in which a worker works but does not live. This largely applies to income taxes in OH. But this also applies when a worker lives in one state and works in another.

Why is this important? In the northeast there is a brewing lawsuit when Massachusetts passed a “convenience of the employer” rules, meaning they impose taxes on employees based solely on the employer’s location. New Hampshire, which has no income tax called it a tax grab for their residents incomes. 14 states are involved in the litigation.

How will this be important? The taxation impact of COVID isn’t dwindling this year or next.

Route Fifty | Ohio Lawmakers Approve Bill to Allow Teleworkers to Seek Commuter Tax Refunds

What’s happening? CO collected $1.08m in taxes from sports betting in April. One year of sports betting tax revenue amounted to $6.6m.

Why is this important? Colorado has had sports betting for one full year offering a look into long term revenue

How will this be important? Even with a dip in play, the revenue numbers stayed fairly level.

Play Colorado Revenue

What’s happening? CA will have its voters decide on sports betting in 2022. Under the initiative, sports betting would be permitted at at tribal casinos and horse-racing tracks. It is estimated to bring California some $1 billion in gross annual revenue without online betting. 

Why is this important? The initiative was written by California’s tribes who succeeded in a gaming expansion in 2008, in a $115 Million ballot initiative.

How will this be important? Meet the  Coalition to Authorize Regulated Sports Wagering & The California Gaming Association says it does nothing to “advance sports wagering”.

L A Times | California voters will decide in 2022 whether to allow sports betting

What’s happening? CT has permitted fantasy sports since 2017. A 2021 state tribal gaming compact will limit the number of operators of fantasy sports, excluding regional and local operators.

Why is this important? When drafting you could have current operators, which CT either knowingly or unknowingly excluded, and other legitimate fantasy sports operators who operate in other states.

How will this be important? Unintended consequences in new trending legislation is common practice, keep your eyes open and think creatively

News & Observer | Fantasy sports industry says bill will put games on hold

What’s happening? Arkansas Legislature funded a $2M school choice program. West Virginia Legislature created an ESA program for all students, a 1st in the U.S. IN, MO & KY all adopted ESA programs for the first time.COVID added suburban Republicans to the usual coalition of conservative Republicans and social justice democrats to support school choice.

Why is this important? The change in the coalition because of COVID brought in the suburban Republicans.

How will this be important? Whether the effects of COVID linger in minds to continue an alliance with suburban Republicans.

Governing | School Choice Advocates Enjoy Their Best Year Ever

What’s happening? A call in Pennsylvania to end no bid emergency state contracts.

Why is this important? A COVID no bid contract in PA went to a data center that had a data breach of health care records.

How will this be important? More cracks in the COVID contracts will be known in years ahead which will lead to state procurement reforms. Follow the bread crumbs.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette | State government should end emergency no-bid contracts 

What’s happening?  SB 51 (2021 | MO) has liability protections for employers, product manufacturers, and health care providers related to COVID.

Why is this important? The bill sets the standard that by entering the business the consumer assumed the risk.

How will this be important? It is going to be a year to compare and contrast the varying ways liability was protected.

Thompson Coburn LLP | Missouri legislature passes new protections for businesses from COVID-19 suits

What’s happening? States are passing bills that allow collegiate athletes to profit from their own image. Endorsement deals is the name of the game. SB 1385 (2021 | TX)

Why is important? The financial literacy workshop will be required in the 1st and 3rd year and prohibits marketing of financial products during the instruction.

How will this be important? We’ll see more of these bills add financial literacy requirements.

What’s happening? Florida Legislature, during a special session, was considering HB9A (2021 | FL). It didn’t go anywhere because the 2 chambers were at lagger heads.

Why is this important? The House added a provision that hasn’t been seen in any other state- it would require “fantasy sports teams to include at least seven players competing in at least five separate events” They also excluded college sports

How will this be important? 25ish states still have no laws on fantasy sports

Clay Today | Fantasy sports regulations bill dropped for Special Session

Miami Herald | Fantasy sports regulation bills appear dead in Florida until next year

What’s happening? Illinois is raking in more tax revenue from cannabis than it is from alcohol sales. In February and March 2021, cannabis accounted for $56 million, compared to about $39 million in liquor taxes.

Why is this important? Revenue estimates are delivering.

How will this be important? Cannabis represents a new revenue source as legalization spreads.

Green Entreprenuer | Illinois Makes More Money from Cannabis Taxes than It Does from Liquor Taxes

What’s happening? Fairfax County Police Officers Retirement System announced its 3rd commitment to blockchain investment

Why is this important? If we’re seeing pensions get into bitcoin, we’re seeing pensions get into blockchain

How will this be important? The number of bitcoin or blockchain entities are only growing.

Chief Investment Officer | Pension Fund Increases Its Blockchain Technology, Bitcoin Allocations

What’s happening? Currently $100 trillion in assets under management are committed to  Principles for Responsible Investment. Most are focused on the US, UK, Nordics, Germany and France. And, now Japan is being asked to step up.

Why is this important? More and more assets are adopting or leaning into ESG.

How will this be important? The new economy is a stakeholder economy that puts sustainability, how businesses treat their stakeholders and employees, and how businesses treat their community.

Bloomberg | Japan Urged to Push Pension Funds to Adopt ESG Principles

What’s happening? Missouri Legislature sent a gas tax bill to the Governor. It would annually raise the gas tax by 2.5 cents until 2025.

Why is this important? The pandemic hit gas taxes, but even before the pandemic, fuel taxes were anemic.

How will this be important? Working from home will continue in some form and the gas tax will continue to lag in revenue collection as fuel efficiency increases.

Missourian | Fuel tax increase approved by legislature, awaits Parson’s signature

What’s happening? Oregon is considering SB 719 (2021 | OR) that would set transparency requirements for state gathering COVID data.

Why is this important? Oregon’s current public information laws have an exception from disclosure for health investigations which has led to data being withheld.

How will this be important? Transparency of COVID data will only help the state with its message to vaccinate.

East Oregonian | Our view: Pass bill to ensure transparency about COVID-19–

What’s happening? By 2025 New York is expected to get 100% more revenue from sports betting than from cannabis.

Why is this important? The state comptroller estimates that this year legal cannabis will bring in about $20 million in tax revenue this year and online sports betting will bring in $99 million, a whopping difference of 395%. But cannabis will get a later revenue start, so the comparison isn’t exactly equal.

How will this be important? Sports gambling was legalized in NY within the state budget a tool that other states could pick up on soon. There remain plenty of states that have legalized neither of these streams of revenue.

Forbes | Mobile Sports Betting To Bring New York State 100% More In Tax Revenue Than Cannabis

What’s happening? Lousiana is considering SB 60 (2021 | LA)

Why is this important? Republicans say the state needs to do something because the NCAA has not. No university spoke against the bill.

How will this be important? Each state is or will tackle this legislative issue.

AP | Louisiana bill would grant image rights to student athletes

What’s happening? Big tech companies use your data and make money from your data. Some groups want to find ways that makes tech companies pay you for your data use, some groups want to impose a tax on those companies for that data use and dedicate the revenue for greater land use.

Why is this important? An ad hoc group of California scholars are studying the issue. There is a report. People will talk about it. And revenue raising is something states are skilled at.

How will this be important? How states choose to levy a fee (tax) for using your data will become a partisan issue.

@Businessweek

What is happening? California has approved allowing small business to receive a tax credit for their PPP funds. Unlike the federal tax help, California’s won’t apply to every business, it only applies if the business can show a loss of 25% or more during a three month period.

Why is this important? California passed bipartisan tax relief.

How will this be important? States are grappling with how to handle PPP funds, how to apply tax breaks, and how to fill in state lost revenue.

CBS San Diego | California Legislature OK’s Tax Break for Small Businesses

What is happening? The $247.7 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund has committed approximately $400 million to two funds. This follows its Sustainable Investments and Climate Solutions (SICS) Program. $300 million to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners . $100 million to Excelsior Energy Capital’s inaugural fund, the Excelsior Renewable Energy Investment Fund I.

Why is this important? NY State Controller set a goal of transitioning its portfolio to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040

How will this be important? More and more states are either transitioning or making sustainable investing a choice for their pension members.

Chief Investment Officer | NY State Pension Commits to $400 Million in Sustainable Investments

What is happening? West Virginia is offering $100 for people, 16-35 years old, to be vaccinated. Funds will come from the CARES Act

Why is this important? Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, credits young West Virginias as key to shutting down the transmission of COVID

How will this be important? West Virginia’s approach could be modeled in other states or other future pandemics

NPR | West Virginia Will Pay Young People $100 To Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

What is happening? 7 Republicans in Congress are openly declining campaign contributions from Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple and Twitter

Why is this important? Appears to be Phase 2 in the standoff between certain politicians and big tech. Phase 1 is the legislation that responds to big tech blocking users or content.

How will this be important? The wedge between these 2 sides appears to be increasing, more to come.

The Hill | Seven House Republicans vow to reject donations from Big Tech

What’s happening? Washington State became the 5th state to limit the private prison industry.

Why is this important? The Washington State legislation bans private prisons from operating in the state and looks to shut down an immigration detention facility that is privately run in Tacoma by 2025.

How will this be important? California, Nevada, New York and Illinois in passing legislation to reduce, limit, or ban the operation of private prison companies in the state. Every year more states will begin considering similar legislation.

@goodgoodgoodco | Washington Governor Jay Inslee just signed a bill into law banning private, for-profit detention centers

What’s happening? Arizona, like Massachusetts, first reached an agreement with each state’s tribes before passing legislation. Reaching an agreement with tribes first has been said to be the key factor to the bill passage.

Why is this important? This successful path can be replicated in other states with a tribal gaming footprint.

How will this be important? Sports betting legislation is passing throughout the country and will continue to, so why not look at how other states succeeded and take winning pieces to build your own strategy.

AZ Family | Arizona gives timelines for new gambling, sports betting in state

Rio Grande Guardian | Hinojosa, Huberty: It is time to legalize sports betting in Texas

What’s happening? California was considering AB 1163 (2021 | CA) that would have reinstated cities and counties’ ability to put soda taxes before voters. Political watchers say the bill died because of anti-tax sentiment.

Why is this important? Supporters of soda taxes point to Philadelphia and Seattle using soda tax revenue to provide food for those in need during the pandemic.

How will this be important? The complex nature of the issue and how soda consumption and food deserts intertwine is being talked about more. Look for soda taxes in food desert legislation.

Route Fifty | Another Soda Tax Bill Dies. Another Win for Big Soda

What’s happening? U.S. House lawmakers that were formerly local officials are forming a new caucus Congressional Caucus of Former Local Elected Officials. 1 in 4 House members are formerly local officials. The goal being to improve dialog between Congress and local governments.

Why is this important? is your state preempting local action? Would it help if your local officials who are now state officials had a caucus? Probably so.

How will this be important? As states and cities are at odds, the federal government could find more ways to provide direct to local government funding and assistance.

Route Fifty | House Lawmakers Form New Caucus of Former Local Officials

What’s happening? In 2020 California passed Fair Pay to Play Act SB 26 (2020 | CA) that allows student athletes to have an agent and negotiate business ventures that do not directly compete with their university’s endorsed products. Effective January 1 2023. Florida came next with SB 646 (2020 | FL) which will be effective in 2021. New Jersey SB 971 (2020 | NJ). Also following suit are Nebraska, New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan and Colorado.

Why is this important? NCAA jumped and created rules too but won’t be effective until the 3 divisions approve the rules.

How will this be important? Gone are the days of college teams having the upper hand on monitizing college athlete images. Leveling the playing – every discussion and article about this issue will be laden with puns.

Governing | States Move Forward on Compensation for Student Athletes

What’s happening? New Mexico has legalized cannabis for adults. It seems weird that the article mentioned for adults and that I decided to type it as well. Of course it is cannabis legalized for adults no state would legalize cannabis for toddlers. Retail sales will begin April 1, 2022. It is estimated to raise at least $20 million in tax revenue the first year, $380 million in sales, and create 11,000 jobs.

Why is this important? New Mexico is the 17th state to legalize. The numbers keep going up.

How will this be important? Every state has slightly different regulatory framework. Consider NM having added to the regulatory possibilities.

KCBD | New Mexico Governor, Legislature legalizes adult-use cannabis

What’s happening? Pension industry in Europe is being asked to educate its membership about ESG investments for pensions. Advisors say there is a disconnect between what people think is happening to their pension funds and what is happening to their pension funds. Such as members strongly supporting global warming initiatives but not have investments to that end.

Why is this important? The new economy plus transparency means people want to know that they are voting with their dollars.

How will this be important? The younger generations care even more about social impact issues, so consider us on a tricycle now so that by the time Gen Z gets to pension age we’ll have cycling shoes that click into peddles.

Pensions Age | Pensions industry urged to educate members on ESG investing

What’s happening? Esports has become a $1 Billion in sales industry. Add onto the revenue from events. Esports is big business and big sports that is entering the sports betting ethos.

Why is this important? Esports is starting to train like professional athletes too. Esports isn’t only kids in a basement.

How will this be important? Esports is big business that keeps growing.

@bloombergbusiness on @instagram

What’s happening? Oklahoma has created the  Innovation Expansion Program within its Department of Commerce to support manufacturers that are innovating and spur investments.

Why is this important? Th program began because Oklahoma wanted to help businesses emerge from the pandemic.

How will this be important? What happens in one state will eventually be proposed in other states.

The Oklahoman via Governing | Oklahoma to Use $10 Million to Boost Investment, Innovation

What’s happening? North Carolina is considering a sports betting bill SB 688 (2021 | NC). The bill will expand sports betting beyond the 2 tribal casinos and into online sports betting. NC Education Lottery Commission would run the show. At least 10 online sports wagering licenses would be available, but no more than 12. 8% tax on sports betting revenue. $500,000 license fee.

Why is this important? Many states are grappling with this very thing and they are all handling it differently. Lots of tools for our toolboxes, my friends.

How will this be important? If successful, it is another blueprint of how to pass sports betting a fairy red location.

Legal Sports report | NEW NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS BETTING BILL WOULD OPEN ONLINE MARKET

What’s happening? Nevada is considering SB 367 (2021 | NV) that removes the sales tax exemption for professional sports tickets. Professional sports tickets ahem been exempt from the liven entertainment tax since 2015. The tax applies to events with more than 200 attendees.

Why is this important? The raiders say the tax could harm expansion for the Las Vegas team.

How will this be important? All states are identifying new ways to impose new or amended taxes. Keep it in your memory vault.

Las Vegas Review Journal | Proposed ticket tax could block pro sports expansion, Knights, Raiders say

What’s happening? Minnesota legislators voted to increase the state gas tax by 5 cents. Republicans countered the bill with an increase in the sales tax for auto parts.

Why is this important? gas tax revenues have been in decline because of fuel efficiency, low gas prices and less driving during the pandemic.

How will this be important? ll states are grappling with declining gas tax revenues.

Pine Journal | Minnesota panel green-lights 5-cent gas tax hike for road, bridge repairs

What’s happening? Alabama S126 (AL- 2021) and Texas are both seeing alcohol to go sales moving through their legislative chambers.

Why is this important? The pandemic led Governors to loosen certain regulatory restrictions, which created a pilot program of sorts to test how will the state operate if we loosen these rules. Turns out, it will be A-OK. So now those looser rules are getting codified.

How will this be important? The new economy will continue to be a reassessment of the old rules. Just because we always did it that way, doesn’t mean that way was the right way.

AL.com | Alabama alcohol delivery bill awaits Kay Ivey’s signature

What’s happening? Florida Senate is moving SB138 (2021 | FL) that will use it’s $135 EV fee to create the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant Program to help pay to install the charging stations.

Why is this important? The bill has an economic development component for the EV infrastructure building and will split funds between the Florida Department of Transportation and local governments, with counties getting 36% to make up for lost gas tax revenue.

How will this be important? Building out EV charging station infrastructure is big business. “This is going to create a very large industry,” said Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach. 

Tallahassee Democrat | Florida Senate panel approves new fee to build electric vehicle charging stations

What’s happening? Colorado is considering the Natural Disaster Mitigation Enterprise, HB21-1208 (2021 | Co) that would add a $1.25 per every $1,000 in premiums to create the state-run natural disaster mitigation enterprise fund that would help communities finance necessary work to lessen or prevent future catastrophes. 

Why is this important? Mitigating disasters is big talk and big work in state legislatures.

How will this be important? The pacing of “disasters” seems to be increasing.

The Colorado Sun | Could a new insurance-premium fee prevent Colorado’s next big natural disaster? Some lawmakers say yes.

What’s happening? The Office of Management and Budget is set to reclassify the size requirements for Metropolitan Statistical Areas. In 1950s when they came up with the size of MSAs, the low end was 50,000. Times changed. There’s a lot more people in the US. Now, they want to change the MSA designation to 100,000 population for core cities.

Why is this important? MSA stays determines federal funding. If you lose your MSA status, you lose the funding access.

How will this be important? It will hit 6 cities in TX, 5 in CA and 9 in PA, among scores of others.

AP | Lawmakers fear turning 144 cities into “micropolitan” areas

What’s happening? Governing Column looks at what is important when governments build infrastructure. Turns out it isn’t just time and money. It’s also who owns the infrastructure, what it looks like (design matters) and connections.

Why is this important? Because often the choice is which costs the least, but in the end the project can cost more if it’s an eye sore, serves no purpose because it doesn’t connect people and communities, or is run by a 3rd party.

Why will this be important? Public Private Ownership is a perennial policy decision and works well with good actors. But, when the public turns on a project managed by a bad actor, its a costly policy problem.

Governing | What Are the Five Principles of Good Infrastructure?

What’s happening? Michigan legalized cannabis more than a year ago. mall cities are reaping the revenue benefits without raising existing taxes.

Why is this important? Cities benefit from license fees and tax revenue from marijuana with no impact to law enforcement activity or budgets.

How will this be important? When cities have little ability to rate taxes, new taxes provide a key revenue source.

Fox 17 | Small towns getting thousands of dollars in tax revenue thanks to marijuana sales

What’s happening? Illinois became the 4th state to take in more than $500 million in sports bets in a single month. Illinois came close to $600M for January.

Why is this important? Operator revenue (jobs) in January was $49.4 million. $7.2 million in taxes for the state. 39.5% of the state’s total handle came from basketball betting.

How will this be important? Not every state has legalized sports betting and as more states top $500 million in revenue for a month, the revenue numbers are enticing.

YogoNet & PlayIllinois | Illinois breaks sports betting revenue and handle records in January

What’s happening? Co courts blocked an end run around filibuster-ish rules. In the CO a member can force the reading of a bill in its entirety to take up time. Well, to be clever, and thinking that they found a loophole, the legislative leaders opted for speed reading by computer. The CO Supreme Court said- no, speed reading does not comply with the constitutional requirements.

How is this important? These tactics and court cases, led to the two parties to work together to find common ground. Statesmanship lived.

Why will this be important? CO courts may not have liked it, but maybe Texas courts thinks, yeah, that works.

AP | Colorado court: Speed-reading bills violates constitution

What’s happening? Overriding a veto, Maryland is the first state to tax digital advertising. Now, Big Tech is suing to stop the bill.

Why is this important? There’s big money involved. The MD bill will generate revenue like this:

• 2.5% for companies with global annual gross revenues of $100 million through $1 billion
• 5% for companies with global annual gross incomes greater than $1 billion through $5 billion
• 7.5% for companies with global annual gross revenues greater than $5 billion through $15 billion
• 10% for companies with global annual gross revenues exceeding $15 billion

How will this be important? Revenue source. New revenue source. New revenue source. It’s like a money tree for elected officials. Opponents say it violates the Commerce Clause and is discriminatory.

Government Tech | Maryland’s Digital Ad Tax Under Pressure from Big Tech

What’s happening? State and local governments will get an extra W$350 billion,   with $65.1 billion in direct federal aid for counties & an additional $1.5 billion for public land counties.

Why is this important? There are Dos and Don’t on spending. Do: health safety measures and PPE demands; payroll, vaccine distribution, small business needs, food, education, broadband Do not: bridge repairs

How will this be important? The feds are watching & will react if spending proposal is outside of COVD recovery.

Governing | Local Govs Will Spend Stimulus Relief in Different Ways

What’s happening? The Governor of Rhode Island is placing legalization in the state budget bill.

Why is this important? The Governor lays out his entire regulatory frame work.  25 marijuana retailers to be licensed each year. Licenses awarded on a lottery system, except 5 licenses are reserved for minority owned businesses. 17% sales tax rate on cannabis sales.

How will this be important? The Governor goes further to divvy up the revenue with 60% going to the state general fund, 25% would cover administrative costs and the remaining 15 percent would go to local governments.

Marijuana Moment | Rhode Island Governor Puts Marijuana Legalization Plan In Budget, Days After Lawmakers File Competing Plan

What’s happening? Virginia is poised to legalize cannabis, or this clever article points out, “Virginia is close to becoming the first Southern state to get a tax revenue high.”

Why is this important? The estimated revenue for legalized cannabis in Virginia is $698 million to $1.2 billion annually in economic activity and up to $274 million in tax revenue per year.

How will this be important? Virginia got to this point after the Governor created a commission to estimate the revenue potential. 12 states are currently considering some kind of cannabis reform legislation. States like New York, Connecticut, New Mexico and Hawaii could soon see legislation on governors’ desks.

CNBC | Virginia gets close to legalizing recreational weed as other states eye cannabis tax windfalls

What is happening? Texas businessperson, Mattress Mack, wrote an opinion piece about his proclivity to place sports bets, in states where it is legal. He pays taxes for those bets to those states. He wants to pay texas to Texas.

Why is this important? he supports sports betting legislation, like we’ve seen in other states, that has voter approval as step 1. For Texas, that will look like, HB 2070 /HJR 97, SB 736 /SJR 39 (2021 | TX)

How will this be important? Gambling in Texas has been decades long pursuit. It’s like when the “will they? won’t they?” moment of a romcom drags on for years and years.

Houston Chronicle | Mattress Mack: It’s time for the Texas Legislature to legalize sports betting

What’s happening? Athletes who are paid to compete in states, pay taxes for money earned competing in each of those states.

Why is this important? Only 4 jurisdictions have no jock tax. Florida, Texas, Washington and Washington, D.C

How will this be important? States are looking for revenue & everyone else is doing it.

KSAT | What exactly is ‘jock tax?’

What’s happening? South Dakota became the first state to pass sports betting in 2021 with the passage of SB 44 (2021 | SD) that allows for sports betting in Deadwood SD.

Why is this important? South Dakota is surrounded by states that have legalized sports betting, and voters approved it in November 2020.

How will this be important? The preemptive voter approval method used in South Dakota has been seen elsewhere like Louisiana. it works.

Sports Handle | South Dakota Lawmakers Send Sports Betting To Governor

What’s happening? Massachusetts has reached an agreement with a tribe, the Mohegans. Their agreement:

• Sports betting revenue will be taxed at 13.75%. iGaming will be taxed at 20%.
• The Lottery can operate 15 retail sports betting locations as well as one online skin. There will also be new Lottery-run sports betting venues in Bridgeport and Hartford.
• The Lottery can sub-license some of those operations to Sportech, but Sportech will not get operations or an online skin of its own.

Why is this important? The Governor is negotiating with tribes before the state has legalized sports betting and iGaming.

How will this be important? All eyes are curios to see if reaching an agreement with the tribes makes legislation as easier task.

Legal Sports Report | MOHEGAN, CONNECTICUT GOV. LAMONT REACH SPORTS BETTING AGREEMENT

What’s happening? RoundRock, TX Economic Development CEO says all the ingredients that made Texas economically attractive to business still exist. However, the true measure will be how government reforms the problems that were highlighted by the storm.

Why is this important? This is man issue pitting what is viewed as pragmatic business that wants certainty against policymakers who may prefer to blame over solve.

How will this be important? The response by policymakers will foreshadow how they handle other top tier issues (to solve or to blame?)

Patch | Round Rock CEO Message: Did The Storm Make Central Texas Less Competitive For Economic Development?

What’s happening? Iowa legislature is considering Senate File 402 (2021 | IA) that would prohibit economic development funds to tech companies that have been found, by a court, to have violated free speech.

Why is this important? “The conservatives are being censored by tech! The conservatives are being censored by tech!” That’s the policy mantra by the Iowa Republicans, the accuracy of which we’re not touching with a 10 foot pole connected to the Mars Rover. What Big Tech is saying is:

• don’t weaponize economic development
•  the proposed bill “perversely creates an incentive” for private entities not to prohibit or remove objectionable content in order to keep tax incentives

How will this be important? We can’t discount legislatures passing unconstitutional laws. We also can’t discount the ability for the voting public to agree with this legislation, which places restrictions on the free market and business operations.

Governing | Iowa’s Bill Against Big Tech Risks Economic Development

What’s happening? A new transparency benchmark for pension systems has been created. Meet the new Global Pension Transparency Benchmark.

Why is this important? This benchmark focuses on the transparency and quality of public disclosures, with quality relating to the completeness, clarity, information value, and comparability of disclosures.

How will this be important? Disclosing information in common terms is important. These experts point to CALPERS executive summary that’s easy to read and Quebecois pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec  puts easy to read updates on its website. Communication is key.

CIO | New Pension Transparency Gauge Finds Serious Improvement Is Needed

What’s happening? Public Affairs schools are talking about cities taking into account historical inquiries in local budgeting.

Why is this important? In making budget decisions, local budget decision makers are taking the needs of previously disenfranchised members of the population into account when allocating dollars for the next fiscal year.  Lousiville, KY is doing this. Austin, TX has a Chief Equity Officer as does Fairfax County, Virginia.

How will this be important? The lessons of 2020 aren’t disappearing. The impact of systemic racism that Black Lives Matters highlights has made local government officials look at their actions from the taking of their property in redevelopment to inadequate budgeting.

Route Fifty | Equity Budgeting in Cities: Directing Dollars Where They’re Needed Most

What’s happening ? California Legislature is gearing up for a post-COVID world by ensuring that virtual components to legislative and regulatory hearings continues. AB 339 (2021 | CA)

Why is this important? New Normal is getting codified.  Virtual participation in hearings offers to level the playing field for all citizens who want to be part of the process.

How will this be important? Virtual hearings allows for closed caption options and language services bringing access to the process to more people. From those in need of services, to people who work, to those with small children. + Its being used as justification for broadband into rural areas.

San Jose Mercury News | California Might Make Virtual Meetings a Permanent Option

What’s happening? Maryland Legislature passed a digital ad bill, HB732 (2021 | MD), imposes a 10 cent tax on digital ads played in MD and targets companies that make more than $100 million a year selling digital advertising

Why is this important? The Republican Governor vetoed it. The Legislature overrode the veto. The opposition group is the Internet Association — a trade group representing Amazon, Facebook, Google.

How is this important? The messaging of this opposition is that we need digital ads because they allow small businesses and startups to easily and affordably access new consumers.

CNN Business | Targeting Big Tech, Maryland becomes first state to tax digital advertising

What’s the deal? Arizona is considering a comprehensive sports betting, race track Keno, online fantasy sports bill. The total revenue estimate per year is $42 M, with an 8% tax on new non-tribal gambling profit, which will go to the general fund. Money from a maximum 8% tax on tribal gaming profits goes to special state accounts and local governments.

Why is this important? Red Arizona is a roadmap of a diverse coalition: Tribes, Race Tracks, Professional Sports, but not on board is the Arizona Licensed Beverage Association which says restaurants and bars want a seat at the table to make up pandemic revenue hits.

How will this be important? The robustness of the coalition and the potential to bring the restaurants and bars on board expands your support base.

AP via Lincoln Star Journal | Arizona House panel advances bill allowing sports betting