In June 2011, Oregon enacted a new law that allows state agencies and local governments to give preference to goods made in Oregon and services performed by local businesses, even if it entails paying up to 10 percent more than the cost of out-of-state suppliers. Continue reading
Laws in some European countries, most notably Germany, require all bookstores, including online sellers, to sell books at fixed prices. Supporters say outlawing discounts protects independent bookstores and small publishers, which in turn ensures that a broader variety of books are available and that there is less focus on best-sellers. Continue reading
Despite the ample publicity Wal-Mart has engineered for its "buy local" efforts, the company in fact has zero interest in cultivating local suppliers beyond stocking a few token local veggies suitable for a nice photo-op. Continue reading
Connecticut requires e-commerce retailers to collect and remit state sales taxes if they generates more than $2,000 in sales a year through sales affiliates based in the state. Continue reading
Raising the pay of Wal-Mart’s U.S. workers to a minimum of $12 an hour would lift many out of poverty and cost the average consumer, at most, $12.49 a year, according to a new study published by the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education. Continue reading
In early 2011, South Dakota enacted the following law, which requires out-of-state retailers to notify their South Dakota customers that they owe use taxes on their purchase. Continue reading
In most states, cities can enact a moratorium on commercial development, provided that the moratorium promotes valid public purposes, is limited in duration, and is used for planning. A number of communities have temporarily suspended large-scale retail development in order to allow time to consider the impacts of superstores and to revise the local comprehensive… Continue reading
In March 2011, Illinois passed a law that requires large e-commerce retailers to collect and remit state sales taxes if they generate more than $10,000 in sales a year through sales affiliates based in Illinois. The law has been suspended pending a court challenge. Continue reading
In March 2011, Arkansas passed a law (Act 1001) that requires large e-commerce retailers to collect and remit state sales taxes if they generate more than$10,000 in sales a year through in-state sales affiliates.
Perhaps we’re not doomed to an economy controlled by a few giant corporations after all. A growing number of signs suggest that local, independent businesses might just be making a comeback.
Inspired by the Harper’s Index, we’ve compiled a list of key indicators of a return to the local. Continue reading
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