Finance & Revenue
If Texas legalized/decriminalized cannabis, what would the numbers look like in Texas according to Vicente Sederberg LLP ?
Utilizing CARES Act Funds, Oklahoma City has created a program that funds minority small businesses.
Why is OKC prioritizing minority owned businesses?
The Funding program:
Governing | Oklahoma City Gives More Funds to Minority Small Businesses
Where: New York
How is New York connecting businesses, PPE and economic development?
New York is temporarily adding bankruptcy legal assistance to its state funded legal assistance program to help businesses impacted by COVID restrictions
A11084 (2020 | NY)
New Jersey will put $6 million into a state program to help suburban & rural small businesses with rent payments if:
S2983 (2020 | NJ)
Louisiana wants to help its fishermen, bars and breweries with funding from a new Bar Assistance Relief Program.
$2,000 grants if they have no more than 50 employees & are not subsidiaries of, or owned by, larger businesses HB85 (2020 | LA)
Michigan is proposing loans for small businesses to cover property taxes for businesses closed by executive order. Loans would have zero interest and 2 year terms. H6242 (2020 | MI)
South Dakota wants to use unspent COVID funds for business grants. Eligible businesses would have seen a loss of 25% of revenue and have revenue below $38.5M. SCR601 (2020 | SD)
Total Revenue Collected: $100+ million since 1/1/2020 legalization
State revenue from 9 months of cannabis legalization: $69.7 million through the Cannabis Regulation Fund
Sales tax portion of cannabis legalization: $36.1 million from state and local sales taxes
Revenue that goes directly to cities: $16 million
How are state cannabis revenues allocated?
5 2020 State Ballot Propositions for Marijuana
This week Pennsylvania Governor also encouraged the Legislature to legalize recreational marijuana and to decriminalize it.
KDKA | These States Are Voting On Marijuana Legalization This November
The State: Arizona
What’s happening in Arizona: Claims the the Governor is asking law enforcement not to enforce restrictions against bars and restaurants that violate Executive Orders. The State Attorney General has taken issue with this approach.
Who should be picking the winners/losers (which businesses can be open): According to the Arizona Attorney General, that’s the Legislature’s job.
So what did the Legislature do? Created the Ad Hoc Study Committee on Legislative Oversight of Emergency Executive Powers
Arizona Capital Times | AG challenges governor’s emergency powers
AZ Mirror | Legislative committee hopes to curb Ducey’s emergency powers
The friendly folks at the Tax Foundation put together an index of the most tax competitive nations.
What does it mean to them to be tax competitive? “A well-structured tax code is easy for taxpayers to comply with and can promote economic development while raising sufficient revenue for a government’s priorities. In contrast, poorly structured tax systems can be costly, distort economic decision-making, and harm domestic economies.”
Who is #21? The U.S.A
What’s the top 10 look like?
Where are the U.S. tax strengths:
Where are the U.S.’s challenges?
Tax Foundation | 2020 INTERNATIONAL TAX COMPETITIVENESS INDEX
What regulation is necessary to maintain this growth in consumer fintech use?
CQ Roll Call via Governing | COVID Accelerates FinTech Adoption for Users and Companies
The lotto revenue records:
Reform Austin | Record-Setting Year for Texas Lottery as Texans Play More During Pandemic
How much CARES Act funding is PA trying to appropriate? $1 Billion
What are education advocacy groups suggesting as options?
Is PA creating the wheel with this ESA program structure? No, Arizona, Florida and Nevada have enacted ESA programs
What do teachers and administrators say should happen with CARES funds? Distributed to the 500 school districts
What’s happening? The City of New Boston wants streamers pay 5% of their local gross revenue as a fee
What’s the City’s argument?
is this new and novel? No, of course not, it’s been tried before and is still pending in court in Missouri from a 2018 suit by Creve Couer, MO. There Netflix said it isn’t a video service provider and thus the rules did apply.
What does this smell like? A revenue generating issue for a pandemic Legislature.
Hollywood Reporter | Texas Town Sues Netflix, Hulu Over Utility Fees
Law 360 | Netflix, Hulu Want Texas City’s Bid For Wireline Fees Tossed
Where: Denver CO
B2 on the November ballot will increase Denver’s sales tax by 0.25%, making the total sales taxes 8.56%, up from 8.31%.
How much revenue would the homeless resource sales tax raise? An estimated $40 million per year
Is this a standalone measure to address homelessness? No, it would work with the current social impact bonds in Denver to address homelessness.
What do Denver’s social impact bonds for homeless resources fund?
The Senate District: SD 6, running including Brenham, TX & Katy, TX
The incumbent Republican, Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, on pandemic lockdowns:
“Another of the key issues will be to reform how public health intersects with our constitutional rights and liberties,” she said. “All businesses are essential to someone and there must be more checks and balances about how the draconian public health policies we have seen this year can be used as pretext to take away our liberties and freedoms.”
Let’s dissect it:
Victoria Advocate | Sen. Kolkhorst, Katy attorney vie for District 18 State Senate seat
Sometimes you read an editorial, and that editorial gives you a laundry list of legislative action, just like this one did for Texas:
Where: Pennsylvania
The legislation: HB2696 (2020 | PA)
What would this bill do? the “Back on Track” bill will give a $1,000 voucher to parents for every K-12 child
What are allowable educational expenses for parents? tuition and fees, textbooks, school uniforms, testing costs, instructional materials, computer hardware or software, counseling services + others
Forbes | Pennsylvania Poised To Turn CARES Money Into School Vouchers
Supporters of using cryptocurrency for sports betting say:
Sports Daily | The Benefits of Sports Betting Using Crypto Currency
Where: Portland Oregon
What proposal to curb protests is being supported by the Portland Police Officer union?
Ballot initiative name: “protect free speech and safe streets.”
New York is pondering S8990 (2020 | NY) which would provide financial incentives for child care centers to cover additional hours related to pandemic time constraints.
Its dual purpose goals: Open day care centers and for longer hours to help parents return to work.
A proposal to allow Illinois residents a tax credit for the costs of remote learning education because of COVID.
The policy reason for it? because it is costly to parents to have to leave or tale time from their jobs to provide for remote learning education.
What kind of expenses will the tax credit apply to?
The state tax the credit will apply to in Illinois: Illinois state income tax
The legislation: HB 5835 (2020 | IL)
The State: Pennsylvania
The childcare program: COVID-19 Childcare for Essential Workers Grant program
How is the program funded? CARES Funds
Who is eligible: “essential workers” including those working in health care, food manufacturing or food, retail, janitorial services, transit and other industries not closed during the state’s health emergency
When does the program expire? 3 months after the emergency declaration ends in the state
The legislation: HB2809 (2020 | PA)
The state: Texas
The new restrictions on protest, demonstrations, riots, support rallies, opposition rallies- whatever your word preference is:
CBS DFW | Texas Gov. Abbott Announces Proposals For Harsher Penalties To Those Involved In Riots
Where: Florida
What new restrictions are proposed?
Echoing a proposal in Texas, the Florida Governor also proposes to punish local governments that reduce spending on law enforcement agencies, by withholding state funds and grants.
This is a great reminder that elected officials rarely recreate the wheel. Imitation is after all the greatest form of flattery.
ClickOrlando | Gov. Ron DeSantis asks state legislature to pass protest proposal
The state: Georgia
What steps did Georgia take to adapt its alcohol regulations in this new economy? The Legislature passed a bill in June to establish requirements for businesses that want to deliver alcohol.
The legislation: HB 879 (2020 | GA)
Which businesses can be approved for home delivery?
What other alcohol law changes were made in this COVID related bill?
What is not included in the new delivery provisions? Deliveries from breweries, distilleries or wineries
WABE | Gov. Kemp Signs Bill Allowing Alcohol Delivery With Restrictions
Athens Banner Herald | Georgia issues rules for home delivery of booze
In California, tech companies support a November ballot proposition to overturn a new California state law that treats gig economy workers as employees and not independent contractors. The tech companies have committed $90 million to the ballot initiative to overturn the state law.
Here’s the polling by UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies:
Why does this matter? Refreshing our recollection, this legislation also captures workers it did not intend to like magicians and stand up comics.
How much have tech companies spent on the ballot initiative? more than $180 million
Los Angeles Times via Governing | Uber, Lyft Face Uphill Struggle for Gig-Worker Votes
This legislation is as popular as sweet ice tea is in the South.
Michigan: HB 6204 (2020 | MI) makes assaulting a first responder a felony. This includes spitting.
Michigan: HB6158 (2020 | MI) exempts from liability governmental agencies that are performing their governmental functions, like dealing with a riot.
Ohio: HB735 (2020 | OH) requires law enforcement to wear a clearly visible badge and identification while on duty.
Virginia: HB5125 (2020 | VA) defines a riot as an assembly of 3+ persons with an intent to commit acts of unlawful force or violence that could jeopardize public safety, peace or order. Makes rioting a Class 1 misdemeanor. & if you have a weapon, it is a Class 5 felony.
New Jersey: A4432 (2020 | NJ) requires the state Attorney General to create an outreach campaign to educate the public on legally protesting and demonstrating
Minnesota: HF2 (2020 | MN) requires its Insurance Commissioner to report on the number of businesses filing claims because of riots and whether those policies increased in price or were cancelled
What is ESG? Investments that address environmental, social, and/or governance considerations. Often referred to from the corporate side as corporate social responsibility
What state added ESG to its state fund investment policies? Oregon, as long as it doesn’t interfere with
What the state treasurer said: “By formalizing our expectations that ESG is an important facet to consider as we evaluate investment opportunities, we’re saying to the companies and managers we invest in that how you do your work matters. We’re also confirming to staff that improving our understanding of how ESG relates to the bottom line matters, too,”
What did the state Oregon Investment Council say? the revised top-down policy should not interfere with the system’s fiduciary duty to its beneficiaries, in deference to advancing a social cause
Chief Investment Officer | Oregon Integrates ESG Formally into Investment Policy
The State: New Jersey
The deal to pass a millionaire’s tax in New Jersey: The blocked millionaires passed after a $500 tax cut for families with income under $150,000
The proposed millionaire’s tax:
Arizona Department of Gaming is offering tips to keep your friendly office pools alive and legal.
Any lingo I need to know going into this? Arizona talks about these office pools and friend bets as “social gambling.”
Here’s what the agency is saying:
Where: Auora Colorado
What sparked this ordinance to prohibit 1st responders from administering ketamine? “the death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who died after he was given the drug in police custody”
Why was ketamine used? To subdue suspects during arrests
What groups support the ban? The Colorado Society of Anesthesiologists
As we know, and have seen on repeat on InfoHive, California passed AB 5 which reclassifies Gig Economy workers as employees following California Supreme Court ruling to the same effect.
AB 5 will also be on the November ballot as opponents seek to over turn it.
What are these unintended consequences? Looping in other independent contracts like comedians, magicians, freelance journalists, interpreters, mall Santas, freelance physical therapists
The takeaway: Drafting legislation matters and is a delicate and long process
Mask Wearing by the numbers:
The states that are getting tougher on mask wearing:
Governing | Lawmakers Get Tough with Mask Requirements: Legislative Watch
Where do we find a hometown tax program? Japan
What does a hometown tax program allow? Allows taxpayers to make donations to any participating municipality in the country — often in return for a small token of appreciation in the form of local produce. The donated amount is then deducted from the taxpayer’s annual local tax bill.
What’s the benefit? benefit to rural areas as 92% of the population lives in urban areas
Has it worked? In 2019, it accounted for 500 billion JPY (around $4.7 billion USD) in revenue for local governments
The legislation: California’s SB 972 (2020 | CA) awaiting Governor signature
What would corporations have to disclose under this bill?
Why did the author say this is bill is important because of COVID? Because large corporations are profiting and small businesses are struggling during the pandemic.
Which corporations would be required to make the disclosures? Companies with gross receipts of $5 billion or more — an estimated 400 to 500 companies.
Is this unique to California? No, 15 other states that require corporations to disclose state tax information
The Wisconsin Governor and Lt. Gov. are proposing the following 9 legislative changes in response to BLM. To up the ante, the Governor called a special session on these too:
Lake Geneva News | Governor urges legislature to act on police reform after Kenosha shooting
What regulatory acts are being identified as re-classifying Daily Fantasy Sports as gaming/gambling?
Potential impact:
States are limiting liability related to COVID in varying ways, here’s the latest sampling:
All of these share the common attribute that protection does not extend to gross negligence, willful, wanton, intentional …the usual suspects of legalese.
Governing | States Act to Limit COVID-Related Liability: Legislative Watch
Where: New Jersey
What: SJR 94 (2020 | NJ)
How is New Jersey looking to adapt its prison reform based on BLM?
Let’s start with the numbers the reformers talk about:
What state legislation is percolating?
Governing | COVID Prison Disaster Prompts Reform Bills: Legislative Watch
Texas Attorney General Opinion KP- 0328 answers whether real estate investments qualify as a security under Texas law.
The answer: it’s complicated
The state: Virginia
The rules fight happened where? Not at the Capitol, but at meeting with spaced-out desks in VCU’s Siegel Center
What prevailed? Remote legislative sessions and remote committee hearings.
Concerns about remote convening? Disproportionately impacts rural members who do not have broadband access
The State: Idaho
The legislation:
CORONAVIRUS LIMITED IMMUNITY ACT
Immunity for Good Faith Actions
Another version of Immunity for Good Faith Actions
The end result: Passed blanket immunity except for intentional acts and a workers comp carve out
Where: TN
What: HB 8005 (2020 | TN)
How:
What happened around the TN Capitol related to this bill?
The Hill | Tennessee governor signs bill increasing punishments for certain protests
New York’s S8689 (2020 | NY) connects soon to released incinerated persons with non-profits that can assist with housing needs.
Making the connections to housing and other services 45 days before release to better prevent discrimination in provided services.
Which state? California
California fined which local government? Los Angeles County
How did California fine Los Angeles County? Because LA County used tax payer funds to pay for PR for a proposed sales tax increase.
Who: Bryan Slaton@BryanforHD2
What legislation is Slaton saying will be his first? To amend the emergency disaster powers available to the governor through the Texas Disaster Act
Why? To end the abuses of the Disaster Act. + He believes Republicans can’t only oppose abuses of power when it is a Democrat.
The cities experiencing growth during the pandemic:
What do these 3 small cities have in common to support growth?
Governing | Three Small Cities That Are Thriving Despite the Pandemic
Income Tax: most significant shortfalls in income-tax during the months ahead, & uptrending receipts for 2021
Sales Tax: Local-source sales taxes from malls and regional brick-and-mortar stores will be hardest-hit. Internet sales will bolster receipts. Normal levels mid 2021.
Property Taxes: The most stable of taxes. Impact will be felt in commercial sector. Vacancies may not refill until 2022.
Transit Taxes: Won’t recover until the pandemic allows for travel or “or Americans finally adjust culturally and apolitically to Asian-style mask-wearing.”
Whose analysis: GIRARD MILLER, FINANCE COLUMNIST
Governing | Yahoo Finance | When Will Tax Revenues Rebound? It Depends on the Tax.
Add the Nevada Legislature and the Nevada Governor to the list of states declaring racism a public health crisis.
The legislative request for the next legislature: “incorporate into the regular business of the Nevada Legislature the subjects of systemic racism and structures of racial discrimination which constitute a public health crisis and which is magnified by the disproportionately high impact of COVID-19 on communities of color.”
Nevada Current | Governor, Legislature declare racism a public health crisis
The State: Oklahoma
What recent economic development project chose Austin, TX over Tulsa, Oklahoma? Tesla’s new Gigafactory
How did Tulsa even get into the running for the Gigfactory
The reaction by Oklahoma produced a plan to lure in auto suppliers by:
Teachers in New Mexico are organizing to have their pension divest from private prison contractor investments.
Why the call for divestment?
Who is in the coalition? Albuquerque Teachers Federation, NEA-NM, NM AFT, Teachers Against Child Detention, Albuquerque Interfaith, Santa Fe Faith Network for Immigrant Justice, University of New Mexico law faculty, a retired federal judge, Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education and Española Public Schools Board of Education
The New Mexican | Retirees want private prisons out of pension funds
Who knew there is a corporate social responsibility award for the gaming industry awarded by the National Council on Problem Gambling?
This year’s winners are Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming.
What corporate social responsibility did Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming do to receive the award?
Is corporate social responsibility built into the Hard Rock International governance structure? Yes, and led by the Vice President of Global Social Responsibility
SBC Americas | Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming win CSR award from NCPG
Times are a changing. Oregon held a special session to provide for public education funding in light of reduced revenue due to COVID.
What were the Ground Rules for the Oregon Special Session with COVID safety requirements?
Statesman Journal | Tempers flare as Oregon Legislature rebalances state budget, adjourns in one day
The Legislature: Montana
The Montana Legislature has been presented 4 options by the Montana Legislative Services Division.
How would they shorten a session? By placing in the rules what could and could not be considered, what business can take place, and specific legislation committees could consider.
The state: New Mexico
What fines can the Governor impose under New Mexico’s Public Health Act?
The issue went to the NM Supreme Court what’s the reaction? Concerns from the business community that a Governor can impose $5000 fines for businesses being open during an Executive Order.
NM Political Report | NM Supreme Court rules state can impose fines, other punishments for businesses who violate state health orders
What is Stockton, California’s Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration? A pilot program that is privately funded program and provides guaranteed income for residents of $500/mo
Others who have championed basic income programs like Stockton’s? Elon Musk and Andrew Yang
Why does this sound familiar? last week we talked about Helsinki, Finland paying for housing for homeless and saving millions because of it.
Cal Matters via Governing | COVID’s Economic Crisis Has Many Looking to Stockton for Ideas
The Legislature: Oregon
The legislation goal:“Entities need to know they have protection from lawsuits if they are following state mandated safety guidelines.”
The exceptions to liability protection:
Supporters: 50 business associations, schools, local governments and nonprofits
How many Carona virus related lawsuits are there in the US?
Oregon Live | Oregon businesses, governments want lawmakers to shield them from coronavirus lawsuits
Portland Tribune | Legislature must pass COVID-19 liability protections
Where: Maine
What’s happening up in Maine? Rs and Ds are using a poll to return to their legislative session as a negotiating tool. Surprise!
Why are legislators in Maine being polled to return? Its the Maine process for convening a special session.
What’s the current poll result look like?
Negotiating the ground rules of a legislative session is the new busting quorum.
Bangor Daily News | Top Democrats call 2nd poll to bring Maine Legislature back, but stalemate with GOP remains
The association behind the scenes: Save Our Stages
How would the funding work?
Amy Klobuchar | Klobuchar, Cornyn Introduce Relief Bill for Independent Live Music Venues During Pandemic
Dallas Observer | Senate Introduces Save Our Stages Act to Grant Billions in Aid to Venues
KVUE | COVID-19 relief bill introduced for live music venues
Can a County’s emergency order require masks in courthouses and county buildings?
Yes, Texas Courts inn 1938 said county’s had authority to reasonably regulate its buildings. And the current Governor’s executive order concerning COVID supports compliance with CDC mask requirements
Is there a caveat: Must follow Office of Court Administration rules concerning court houses
Can the county fine violators? Yes, “local officials may impose a fine, consistent with Executive Order GA-29, and may remove or deny entry to individuals refusing to wear a facial covering inside those premises.”
The State: Idaho
The issues for Idaho’s special legislative session:
KTVB | Idaho governor to call special session of the Legislature
Where: Massachusetts
Why is the Massachusetts Legislature extending its session? Unfinished Business
What unfinished business is on its agenda:
What did legislative leaders say?
Where: New York
The legislation: S8585A (2020 | NY)
What would it do? All schools to use transportation funds to deliver food, materials and other items to students during the pandemic.
Ask the Speaker of the Texas House if a tax on cannabis can fill a revenue deficit, and the answer is yeah, it’s a part of the solution.
In 2018 the Texas Republican Party platform supported decriminalization. The 2020 platform has not been finalized.
Smarkets has been granted gaming authority in Sweden to accept wagers on politics.
Smarkets also has offices in Malta and Los Angeles.
Which tax could be repealed? The federal tax ”the handle tax” on sports betting
The legislation: H.R. 7790 (116th Congress)
What are the bill’s sponsors saying?
Ripon Advance | Reschenthaler proposes bipartisan bill to repeal excise tax on sports bets
A proclaimed Texan explains why Texas history explains the anti-gaming history.
Where: Pennsylvania
What: House Bill 2463 (2020 | PA)
How does the bill impact public information?
Levittownnow | Bill Sponsor Urges Governor To Reconsider Veto Of Transparency Legislation
Where: Nebraska
The legislation: LB962 (2020 | NE) Nebraska Fair Pay to Play Act
Is it modeled after other state legislation? Yes, California’s
What do opponents say will happen to college athlete recruitment?
Lincoln Journal Star | Legislature authorizes endorsement contracts for college athletes
Where: Pennsylvania
A constitutional amendment would allow a simple majority of the Legislature to overturn a Governor’s Emergency Declaration.
Who is behind the legislation? Republicans
Does the legislation need Governor approval? No
KYW 1060 | Bill limiting Pa. governor’s emergency declaration power advances
What reforms passed the Minnesota legislature? Passing 102-to-29 in the Minnesota House
@WashingtonPost | Minnesota passes police accountability measures
Where: Wyoming
What relief is considered for Wyoming’s tourism? The legislature is considering using $2 million from federal relief to specifically bolster tourism industry
How will funds be allocated? Compensated losses would be tied to events with regional and local significance
Which businesses could qualify?
AP | Wyoming Legislature may consider relief for tourism sector
Casper Tribune | Legislature considers relief package for Wyoming’s tourism sector
Where: Massachusetts
What is the new revenue source? Suing gig economy companies to convert independent contractors to employees for which unemployment and payroll taxes would be paid
Is Massachusetts first up to say gig economy work is employment based? No, California’s AB 5 led the way.
Subscribers of InfoHive can find several years of posts of quick facts easily explaining the legislation, the lawsuits, the regulatory actions that detail California tackling this growing issue.
Reuters UK | Massachusetts sues Uber, Lyft over driver status as contractors
What new rules are in store for the Tennessee Legislature thanks to COVID?
Where: Marin County, CA
What county funds are available to help businesses adapt to outdoor business models?
Marin Independent Journal | Marin grant program offers virus aid for outdoor commerce
New documentary called “Throw a Billion Dollars from the Helicopter” brought to you by the CATO Institute.
A stadium in the documentary: Texas Rangers Arlington stadiums
The title is courtesy of a sports economist who said, “if you want to generate economic development in a city you’d do better to just take the money, convert it into $20 bills, get a helicopter, and then throw “a billion dollars from the helicopter” down on the city.”
Viewing platforms: Vimeo and Amazon Prime.
Where: North Carolina
What: H 1233 (2020 | NC)
Where: Nevada
Who is asking Nevada to stop “corporate subsidies?” Unions
What alternatives do unions point to for revenue sources for Nevada?
Fox 5 Vegas | State employees union demands governor, Legislature cut corporate subsidies
Where: Maine
How is the Maine Legislature adapting to social distancing requirements in a covid world? By considering meeting in the Augusta Civic Center
Considerations that favor the larger location for the legislature?
Bangor Daily news | If the Maine Legislature makes a summer return, it may not be at the State House
The State: Hawaii
The legislation: HB 285 (2020 | HI)
What will Hawaii’s HB 285 do?
The opposition: State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers
How is this new? for 25 years, Hawaii protected from disclosure this information
Honolulu civil beat | Hawaii Legislature Removes Police Exemption For Misconduct Cases
The state: Nebraska
The November propositions in Nebraska that look to boost turn out:
Lincoln Journal Star | Don Walton: Having marijuana, gambling on ballot should boost turnout
The pension system: CALPERS
The method to handle a funding issue: Borrow funds at the new record low rates
Private Equity News | Calpers has a fix for its massive pension shortfall – borrow more
1 thing pension systems should avoid: Pension-contribution holidays
Who compiled the demographics? PEW Charitable Trusts
The demographics in Opportunity Zones:
Why review demographics of opportunity zones in an era of Black Lives Matter? Because Opportunity Zones
PEW | Black Businesses Largely Miss Out on Opportunity Zone Money
Where: St. Louis, MO
What tax rate would fiber services pay? 7.5% gross receipts tax, the same tax levied on telephone service
What fees does fiber pay without the 7.5% gross receipts tax? a right-of-way fee of $2.20 per linear feet
What do opponents say about the right of way fee?
St. Louis Today | Revamp of St. Louis tax for fiber network providers may go on Nov. 3 ballot
How many states have adopted a vape tax? 21
Why is a vape tax not a significant revenue source in the short term?
Tax Foundation | States Looking to Fill Budget Gaps with Vapor Tax Revenue Likely to be Disappointed
Has any government adopted a digital services tax? Yes, the UK
What are the revenue estimates? The UK digital services tax was estimated to raise $450 million-$500 million/year
Tax Foundation | New York Lawmakers Float New Data Tax Proposal
Where: New York
How will data be taxed? An excise tax on the sale of data in New York
What are the 4 steps in the tax implementation?
Wall Street Journal | A Tax on Data Could Fix New York’s Budget
Where: Seattle
The proposed tax:
How will the revenue be allocated?
Tax Foundation | Seattle Officials Return with New Proposal for Taxing Employment
Which city? San Francisco
What tax is being proposed? The Overpaid Executive tax
Does it require voter approval? Yes
How will the Overpaid Executive tax apply? A company would pay the tax when these conditions are met:
What is the COVID connection? San Francisco has lower revenue estimates due to COVID and this tax is estimated to raise between $60 million and $140 million annually
Do other city’s impose similar taxes? Yes, Portland Oregon imposes a pay ratio surtax
Route 50 | San Francisco Voters to Decide on Taxing Companies With Outsized Executive Pay
Where: New Jersey
What legislation is New Jersey considering? A4211 (2020 | NJ)
What will A4211 do? Prohibit the use of biometric recognition software by law enforcement
Why? Biometric software (facial recognition software) has been pulled by developers for its potential to contribute to racial profiling
Where: New York
What legislation is New York considering to require diversity & inclusion training? A10601 (2020 | NY)
What new training is required? basic & pre-employment training concerning diversity & inclusion
Who has to take the new diversity & inclusion training?
Where: New York
What legislation is New York considering? S8514 (2020 | NY) prohibiting the use of tear gas by law enforcement personnel
Where: Michigan
What: HB 5387 (2020 | MI)
What new training will law enforcement have to complete under HB 5387?
Where: Louisiana
What: HB 51 (2020 | LA)
How will HB 51 amend qualified immunity? By prohibiting the use of qualified immunity as a defense for wrongful death or physical injury causes of action against law enforcement
What: SB20-217 (2020 | CO), Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity
How does SB217 reform law enforcement in Colorado?
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