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Reuters
24 minutes ago
- Reuters
Part of Maryland digital ad tax law declared unconstitutional
Aug 15 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Friday declared unconstitutional a Maryland law prohibiting companies that pass on the costs of the state's first-of-its-kind digital advertising tax from telling customers why prices went up. Reversing a lower court ruling, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously agreed with the Chamber of Commerce and two other trade groups that the restriction violated members' First Amendment free speech rights, while insulating Maryland lawmakers from criticism and political accountability. The offices of Maryland's Attorney General Anthony Brown and the only defendant, state Comptroller Brooke Lierman, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Aimed at larger businesses such as (AMZN.O), opens new tab, Meta Platforms' (META.O), opens new tab Facebook and Alphabet's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Google, Maryland's 2021 law taxed companies that generated at least $1 million of gross revenue from digital ad services in the state. Maryland imposed levies on a sliding scale based on companies' global revenue, and lawmakers said the tax could raise $250 million annually. The Chamber of Commerce, NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association sued, calling the law a punitive assault on digital rather than print advertising. Friday's decision concerned their objection to a provision against passing on the cost of the tax "by means of a separate fee, surcharge, or line-item," saying it effectively forbade businesses from shifting blame to lawmakers. Circuit Judge Julius Richardson wrote for a three-judge panel, however, that the provision ensured that companies would bear economic and legal responsibility for the tax. He said Maryland didn't justify this, and the provision was facially unconstitutional. "The pass-through prevents companies from describing the tax in the one setting where the consumer is guaranteed to look: the invoice," the judge wrote. "Keeping out of hot water with voters is not among the interests that can justify a speech ban." Richardson added: "As much today as 250 years ago, criticizing the government - for taxes or anything else - is important discourse in a democratic society. The First Amendment forbids Maryland to suppress it." The Richmond, Virginia appeals court returned the case to U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby in Greenbelt, Maryland, to determine appropriate remedies. In separate statements, the trade groups welcomed the decision. "The Fourth Circuit was absolutely correct," said Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center. "Maryland tried to prevent criticism of its tax scheme, and the Fourth Circuit recognized that tactic for what it was: censorship." The case is Chamber of Commerce et al v. Lierman, 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 24-1727.
Reuters
24 minutes ago
- Reuters
Data center owners urge US Treasury to keep renewable energy subsidy rules
Aug 15 (Reuters) - The Data Center Coalition, which represents data center owners including Google, Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab and Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab, called on U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to uphold existing rules for wind and solar energy subsidies, saying they have enabled the industry to grow quickly and stay ahead of competition from China. Tougher rules on how projects can qualify for federal clean energy tax credits could slow development of new electricity generation at a time of surging power demand driven by artificial intelligence and the digital economy. "Any regulatory friction that slows down deployment of new generation today directly impacts our ability to meet AI-era electricity demands tomorrow," the coalition wrote in its letter to Bessent. The letter is dated August 4 but was seen by Reuters on Friday. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in July directing Treasury to tighten clean energy tax credit rules, including redefining what it means for a project to have started construction. The industry has relied on the existing rules for the last decade, and advisory firm Clean Energy Associates projected this week that the United States could lose about 60 gigawatts of planned solar capacity through 2030 if stricter "beginning of construction" rules are implemented. Between 2017 and 2023, the U.S. data center industry contributed $3.5 trillion to the nation's gross domestic product and directly employed over 600,000 workers, according to the DCC. The Treasury Department is expected to issue updated guidelines as soon as August 18.
North Wales Live
27 minutes ago
- North Wales Live
Boden's £140 'versatile' jacket stylish for summer and autumn now £56
Boden shoppers have been raving about a 'versatile' jacket that is stylish for both the summer and autumn seasons. The Holly Collared Knitted Jacket is currently on sale, with its initial retail price ranging from £130 to £140 down to as little as £52 to £56, which means shoppers can save as much as £84. The jacket comes in three different colours - navy and ivory (was £140 now £56), warm ivory (was £130 down to £52) and strawberry tart red (was £130 down to £52), with sizes ranging from 6 to 22. The Holly Collared Knitted Jacket comes with gold-tone buttons, which adds a touch of elegance to the clothing. It also comes with a neat, boxy cut, creating a regular, easy shape that isn't too tight. You could style this jacket with a pair of trousers, skirt or dress for any informal or formal setting. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here. Elsewhere, Joanie's Soft Tailored Blazer, which comes in eight different colours, was £99 but is now as low as £39.60. But for a jacket with a different style, you could purchase the Per Una Pure Cotton Embroidered Gilet for £49.50 at M&S. Back at Boden and the Holly Collared Knitted Jacket has received a rating of 4.5 out of five stars and 66 reviews. One happy reviewer said: "Fits perfectly. Very good quality and looks fantastic". While another had one issue with its sizing, they were overall happy with their purchase. They said: "This is a fabulous jacket and excellent quality. I purchased size 12 and body wise it fits me perfectly but I am short so it may be too short for a taller lady. Sleeves are too long for me but I will shorten them". Meanwhile, another shopper described the jacket as "very chic" with "Parisian vibe" and said they would be "stylish in summer and autumn". They added: "Gorgeous button detail. Bargain in sale too. Thank you Boden. Very happy indeed". Unfortunately, not everyone was pleased with their purchase. One customer reviewed: "Lovely jacket and beautiful colour. Unfortunately the style didn't suit me, so I sent it back. The return/refund was quick and easy." And another shopper said: "I ordered this thinking it was more of a cardigan, my fault as it does say jacket. It is quite heavy and felt a bit stiff and uncomfortable. Also quite short in the body so unfortunately not for me I returned it." But others praised the jacket for its versatility. "Such great quality and I can wear it with jeans, smart dress and as a jacket with lots of other clothing," one remarked. And another said: "Beautiful knitted jacket! I have worn with jeans and kitten slingbacks as a casual outfit but could definitely wear with smart navy trousers, very versatile. "The knit is beautiful and a good weight to it, very good quality as usual from Boden. The fit is true to size."
