Latest news with #Anthony Brown
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Part of Maryland digital ad tax law declared unconstitutional
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 Meta Platforms' Facebook and Alphabet's 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.
CBS News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Guide to help Marylanders protect their civil rights released amid changes in federal policies
A guide to help Marylanders protect their civil rights and understand state law was released amid shifting federal policies, according to Attorney General Anthony Brown. The 37-page book, called "Know Your Rights: A Guide to Understanding and Protecting Your Rights," includes information about handling discrimination and the rights of people with disabilities, migrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The guide was created by the Attorney General's Civil Rights Division and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) in an effort to combat misinformation. The Civil Rights Division includes lawyers and investigators who look into potential civil rights violations and search for solutions that could include policy changes, restitution or penalties. The MCCR is a commission that was appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The group aims to protect residents and businesses from discrimination. The guide should help Marylanders understand some of their legal rights. "Federal policy changes have created confusion about whether there is legal redress for discrimination," AG Brown said in a statement. "Maryland law continues to provide robust protection against discrimination, and many provisions of federal anti-discrimination law remain in place." The civil rights guide provides examples of what discrimination may look like for certain protected groups – like migrants or students – or across different industries like housing, health care or employment. It also includes information on how residents can exercise their rights through state law. "As federal policies shift, many Marylanders fear losing the rights that protect them and their families," AG Brown said. "This guidance makes it clear: no Executive Order can erase the state and federal laws that ensure equal access to housing, jobs, and education." The release of the civil rights guide comes as the Trump administration continues to crack down on federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. After taking office in January, President Trump signed an executive order cutting DEI programs across the federal government, and pushing public schools, universities and businesses in the private sector to do the same.
