Latest news with #NationalConferenceofStateLegislators
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A pay raise for state lawmakers? Johns Island Republican defends the proposal
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – A Republican senator from Johns Island defended his support Thursday for a budget amendment that could give state legislators their first pay raise in decades. State senators voted 24-15 on Wednesday to raise lawmakers' monthly stipend for in-district expenses from $1,000 to $2,500. That money is allocated to lawmakers on top of their $10,400 annual salary and per diems for expenses like travel to Columbia, lodging, and food. Proponents argue the bump is needed to help align compensation, which has stayed the same since the mid-1990s, with inflation. 'This is one pay item we brought inline with inflation,' Sen. Matt Leber wrote in an April 24 Facebook post. 'With 3 children and a wife, I must justify continuing to take the opportunity cost if I'm going to continue serving.' Leber, who operates a home rental business with his wife, said his personal savings have dwindled by about one-third since he took office in 2023. 'My personal business has nearly collapsed since going into office,' Leber wrote. 'I haven't flipped a house in 3 years.' The first-term senator noted that more than half of his annual salary pays for his apartment in Columbia, where he spends most of the week, and he's recently needed to up personal security because of 'the positions [he] takes.' 'It's becoming evident that only the independently wealthy will soon be in these positions making all the policy for South Carolina,' Leber wrote. 'I for one would like to have more blue-collar colleagues.' Governor McMaster endorses effort to slash boat property taxes Others, however, suggested the proposal is just a way for legislators to enrich themselves at the expense of South Carolina taxpayers. 'SC gov't does not care about you,' one user wrote on X. 'They are only interested in lining their pockets any way possible.' Sen. Tom Fernandez, a Goose Creek Republican, was among senators who opposed the increase, a move he believes sends the 'wrong message while families across our state are still struggling with inflation and the cost of living.' 'Leadership should come with sacrifice, not self-reward,' he wrote in an April 23 Facebook post explaining his budget vote. South Carolina lawmakers are among the lowest paid in the nation, according to an analysis by the National Conference of State Legislators. Republican House leadership said they were not aware of the Senate plan and needed to discuss it with their colleagues before speaking publicly. A small conference committee of senators and House members will have to agree in about a month to keep it in the spending plan. The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmaker pushes for federal legislation to keep Daylight Saving Time
(WHTM)– A Pennsylvania lawmaker will soon reintroduce a resolution encouraging the United States Congress to establish a year-round time system. State Senator Scott Miller said he plans to reintroduce a resolution urging Congress to put an end to the biannual time change and establish a set year-round time. Miller said the resolution would call for a stable, predictable year-round time system. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Miller argues that while Daylight Saving Time intends to benefit farmers, research has linked time shifts to increased car accidents, workplace injuries, strokes, and an estimated $400 million in lost productivity. According to the National Conference of State Legislators, at least 31 states have considered or are considering bills or resolutions related to daylight savings in 2025. The federal legislation would make Daylight Saving Time the new, permanent standard time. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 9, and ends Sunday, November 2, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A tax on digital advertising will hurt Rhode Island small businesses and consumers
Rhode Island lawmakers have a choice when it comes to a proposed tax on digital advertising, which opponents say could hurt small businesses and consumers. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) As a former South Dakota State senator, past president of the National Conference of State Legislators, and a Certified Public Accountant, I've seen firsthand how tax policies can either help or hurt a state's economy. The digital advertising tax that is being pushed in Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee's proposed fiscal 2026 budget is a clear case of the latter — a misguided policy that threatens to harm every small business and consumer in the Ocean State. Advertising isn't just about flashy billboards or catchy jingles; it's a cornerstone of economic activity. An independent study commissioned by the Association of National Advertisers shows that advertising expenditures generate a whopping $22.4 billion in economic activity in Rhode Island alone, supporting over 106,000 jobs. That's 15.5% of all jobs in the state. Taxing digital ads opened Maryland up to litigation. McKee wants Rhode Island to do it anyway. When you tax digital advertising, you're not just targeting faceless tech giants, you're hitting the local coffee shop trying to reach new customers, the family-run bookstore promoting a weekend sale, and the startup striving to make its mark. You might think you're hitting the big guy but you're really just stepping on the little guy. As I noted in my testimony in front of the Senate Finance Committee, because of this tax, small businesses would face tough choices. That is not the fate that legislators should be rooting for when it comes to Rhode Island's small business community. Proponents of this tax argue it's aimed at billion-dollar corporations, but history tells a different story. In France, a similar digital advertising tax ended up passing 55% percent of its burden onto consumers, according to a Deloitte study. Beyond the straight economic impact, this tax is a double whammy for businesses. Rhode Island companies already pay income tax, now they'd be taxed again just for advertising their products and services. This kind of double taxation doesn't just strain businesses —- it discourages them from growing, investing, and hiring. For a state in which business owners already face significant headwinds, this tax could be the final straw for many entrepreneurs. You might think you're hitting the big guy but you're really just stepping on the little guy. Let's not forget the legal minefield this tax creates. Maryland's attempt to implement a similar tax has been tied up in costly legal battles, draining taxpayer dollars with no end in sight. The proposed tax in Rhode Island could face similar challenges, potentially violating the First Amendment, the Dormant Commerce Clause, and federal laws like the Internet Tax Freedom Act. If the courts strike it down, Rhode Island could be on the hook to refund every cent collected, plus interest. With an already challenging fiscal situation on the horizon, that's a gamble the state can't afford to take. Digital advertising has been a game-changer for small businesses, leveling the playing field and allowing them to reach audiences far beyond their local communities. Over the past decade, it's fueled growth and innovation, helping more than 100,000 small businesses in Rhode Island thrive. Taxing this critical tool doesn't just stifle growth —- it sends a message that Rhode Island isn't open for business. A tax on digital advertising isn't just bad policy, it's a step backward. Rhode Island lawmakers have a choice: they can pursue short-sighted revenue grabs that hurt the very people they're supposed to serve, or they can focus on fostering a business-friendly environment that encourages growth, innovation, and prosperity. I urge lawmakers to reject this harmful tax and instead focus on policies that build a stronger, more competitive state. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
