In March 2012, Georgia passed a provision (the relevant section begins on page 50) clarifying that remote retailers with in-state affiliates acting as sales agents must collect and remit sales taxes on purchases made by state residents. Continue reading
Current federal policy exempts online and mail-order retailers from having to collect state and local sales taxes, giving them a sizable 4 to 9 percent price advantage over local stores. Advocates of a level playing field are calling on Congress to remedy this inequity by passing the Main Street Fairness Act. Meanwhile, New York state is leading the way in using existing state authority to require that large online retailers be subject to the same sales tax requirements as local businesses. Continue reading
In December 2011, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue issued a bulletin clarifying that state law requires an out-of-state retailer to collect sales tax if it has property stored or distributed through warehouses in the state (regardless of whether the retailer owns the warehouses) or if it uses affiliated sales agents to direct sales to its website. Continue reading
If Walmart will not pay 3 percent more for basic fire safety, if it readily abandons factories when cheaper production can be had elsewhere, if it declines even to come clean about where its goods are made – then how can we buy Walmart’s claim that it will transform factories across Asia into models of sustainability? Continue reading
Our first podcast is with Stacy Mitchell, the heart and soul of our Independent Business and Banking Initiatives. Stacy talked with Lisa about the Initiative and the focus of her current projects. She also offered some strategies for supporting independent business and influencing policy that will strengthen our local economies. The podcast is just over… Continue reading
Local farms, independent retailers, and community banks are all experiencing newfound public support. While these trends are encouraging, local businesses still account for only a small share of the economy. In this 15-minute talk, given in May 2012, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell presents a compelling case for moving local enterprises from the economy’s margins to its mainstream. Continue reading
Here are the ten short-and-sweet reasons why supporting independent businesses is critical to the well-bring of our communities and our economy. Continue reading
In this TEDx talk, delivered on October 20, 2012 at TEDxDirigo‘s Villages conference at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, conference, ILSR Senior Researcher Stacy Mitchell argues for a new phase in the local economy movement. She notes that there’s been a resurgence of support for small farms, local businesses, and community banks, but argues: “As remarkable… Continue reading
Walmart now captures $1 of every $4 Americans spend on groceries. It’s on track to claim one-third of food sales within five years. Here’s a look at how Walmart has dramatically altered the food system — triggering massive consolidation, driving down prices to farmers, and leaving more families struggling to afford healthy food. Continue reading
Here’s a look at six small business issues at stake in next month’s federal and state elections, including bank reform, corporate tax advantages, getting corporate money out of politics, capping credit card fees, and creating preferences for local businesses in government purchasing. Continue reading
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