From the category archives:

state & local

Dramatic Turnabout in Amazon’s Fight with California

8 September 2011

So wow. Granted, I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night due the storms in my area (stay safe, Philly!) but I was rubbing my eyes at the headlines this morning for another reason: Amazon may be cutting a deal with the State of California. It’s being widely reported that Amazon may be close [...]

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Back to School: Online Sales Tax and Amazon

7 September 2011

My oldest daughter is an over-achiever. Point in fact: she was doing her book report this morning (it’s due September 19) even though she doesn’t have the book yet. She was coming up with a concept, you know, just so that she’d be ready. The missing book was quite the point of contention. It wasn’t [...]

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Texas Rules Tax On Strip Clubs Constitutional

26 August 2011

You can leave your hat on. But bring your wallet. The Texas Supreme Court has determined that a $5 entrance fee to strip clubs in the Lone Star State is constitutional. The ruling comes after a protracted fight between strippers (I’m sorry, I meant “adult entertainers”) and the state. Three years ago, a Texas court [...]

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Philadelphia: The City That Taxes You Back

12 August 2011

So let’s get one thing out of the way from the start… I love Philadelphia. I love that I can grab an authentic Ethiopean meal in one part of the city and a greasy cheesesteak in another. I love the way the modern cut of the relatively new Cira Centre contrasts with Billy Penn sitting [...]

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Massachusetts Joins States Offering Sales Tax Holidays

2 August 2011

Ah, Massachusetts. So many firsts: the first public park in the U.S., the first American university (Harvard, of course), first basketball game in the U.S., the first state Constitution, the first American subway system (take that, New York)… But when it comes to figuring out a budget, Massachusetts doesn’t feel the need to be first; [...]

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Back to School Sales Tax Holidays On Tap For Many States

22 July 2011

I’m a terrible procrastinator. At least that’s what the retail world thinks. I totally admit that I’m one of those parents who expects to actually find school supplies on the shelves in September. And for some crazy reason, I feel like I should be able to buy fall jackets when it’s cool out and not [...]

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Beer Today, Gone Tomorrow

14 July 2011

And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR BEER! Okay, that was really from Braveheart. [...]

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Amazon Fights Back Against Online Sales Tax Law

13 July 2011

Quick, show of hands: who wants to pay more in taxes? That’s what I thought. Clearly, Amazon.com is right. The online retail giant is planning on asking voters to chime in on whether they want to pay more in taxes. Okay, not exactly. They’re really asking voters in California to overturn the controversial new state law requiring [...]

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NJ Budget Battle Heats Up: Senate President Claims He Wants to Punch Governor

5 July 2011

As a mom, I’ve seen it a million times. One kid promises to play nice and doesn’t. So the other kid gets mad and throws a tantrum, calls some names. And the other kid says mean things back. And then it spirals out of control. It’s a tough situation to handle with five year olds. [...]

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Maryland Alcohol Sales Tax Increase Meant to Save the State From Hoodlums (er, not really)

1 July 2011

Last night, I went out to eat with friends and family. We had a mix of drinks, dinners and desserts and split the final bill. I know the final bill total – close to $200 – and I know the tip amount. I did not once look at the tax on the bill. And I’m [...]

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