Latest news with #SB576
Politico
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Politico
Don't touch that sound dial!
Presented by California Resources Corporation QUIET ON SET: State Sen. Tom Umberg just wants to watch TV without being subjected to blaring commercials. Hollywood's biggest streaming platforms wish he'd keep his hands off the volume dial. The Santa Ana Democrat wants to ban platforms like Netflix and Hulu from airing ads louder than the shows and movies they accompany. His SB 576, would close a loophole in a 2010 federal law (authored by former California Rep. Anna Eshoo) that already bans ear-splitting ads on cable and broadcast TV but doesn't cover streaming services. Umberg argues it's a simple way to solve a recent spike in volume complaints and preserve peace of mind for people like Zach Keller, his legislative staffer who said loud streaming commercials are waking up his infant daughter. 'The golden rule is you've got to keep the baby asleep, and anything that wakes that baby up should be closely scrutinized — as should streaming services,' Umberg testified today, minutes before his bill cleared the Assembly Privacy Committee. And given California's outsized sway in the entertainment industry, there's a chance Umberg's bill could set a de facto nationwide standard if he emerges victorious. 'It's disruptive and an annoyance,' Umberg told California Decoded in an interview. 'If we can [ban] it at the federal level … we certainly can do it for streaming services.' Hollywood begs to differ. The Motion Picture Association and Streaming Innovators Alliance, which together represent entertainment giants including Disney, Paramount, Amazon and Netflix, have barged in with last-minute objections, urging lawmakers to derail Umberg's effort. In a four-page letter sent last week, the groups argued they're already exploring ways to address ad volume issues. Yet they also said streaming platforms have 'no ability' to control volume settings on every device where their content is offered — much less regulate 'ready-to-watch commercials sourced from thousands of advertisers.' 'Unlike in the broadcasting [and] cable network environment, where advertisers sell their ads directly to the networks, streaming ads come from several different sources and cannot necessarily or practically be controlled by streaming platforms,' Melissa Patack, the MPA's vice president of state government affairs, testified Tuesday. So can streamers control ad volumes, or can't they? Patack told the committee that's beyond streamers' grasp for now, but that platforms could address the issue if given time to work on a solution with audio engineers, free from legal repercussions outlined in Umberg's bill. But Umberg thinks streamers are more than capable of turning down the volume — it's just a question of whether they want to. 'They know how old I am. They know what cereal I like,' he testified. 'They can figure out how not to increase volume.' A version of this report first appeared in California Decoded, POLITICO's morning newsletter for Pros about how the Golden State is shaping tech policy within its borders and beyond. Like this content? POLITICO Pro subscribers receive it daily. Learn more at IT'S TUESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to lholden@ WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY PUT IT IN WRITING: Legislative leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom reached a budget agreement that delays cuts to Medi-Cal and safety net programs while closing a $12 billion spending gap, our Eric He reports for POLITICO Pro subscribers. One unresolved piece of the deal, a housing proposal by state Sen. Scott Wiener to exempt many types of urban housing projects from environmental review, will be taken up by legislators later this week. The rest of the budget agreement, which lawmakers are expected to approve on Friday before sending to Newsom for his signature, largely reflects the priorities of the Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature that rejected many of the governor's proposed slashes. Amid fierce backlash from progressives and advocacy groups, Democratic state lawmakers sought to stave off many of Newsom's proposed cuts, turning instead to deferrals and borrowing from state reserves. They are banking on California's economic outlook improving in future years, allowing the state to reduce the severity of the reductions. 'Under very difficult circumstances, we passed a solid budget that protects California's values,' Wiener said in an interview. 'And I'm proud of the result.' IN OTHER NEWS TAKING CHARGE: California Rep. Robert Garcia won his bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, beating out Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch in today's caucus vote, our Nicholas Wu reports. Garcia, 47, secured a first-ballot majority after winning the backing of the caucus' powerful Steering and Policy Committee on Monday evening. 'We'll get immediately to work,' he told reporters following the vote. First on the agenda, Garcia added, was meeting with the Oversight Committee staff 'to let them know that we're ready for consistent leadership.' MILEAGE MAY VARY: Senate Democrats introduced a bill today that would significantly overhaul how California regulates transportation fuels amid concerns about high gas prices and closing refineries, our Alex Nieves reports for Pro subscribers. State Sen. Tim Grayson, a moderate Bay Area Democrat, amended SB 237 — which previously dealt with property transfers — into a sweeping proposal that would cap the price of credits that fuel manufacturers can buy and sell through the state's low-carbon fuel standard. It would potentially transition California away from its unique gasoline blend and instead align gas specifications with other western states. State Sens. Melissa Hurtado, Jerry McNerney and Laura Richardson are signed on as joint authors. WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY — Members of Congress continue to buy pharmaceutical stocks, even as President Donald Trump's administration slams the industry. California Rep. Ro Khanna leads his party in purchases. (POLITICO) — A DoorDash executive was among the eight people killed on Lake Tahoe after a powerboat capsized during a sudden storm. (San Francisco Chronicle) — Soldiers and their families have been calling the GI Rights Hotline with concerns about Trump's deployment of the California National Guard to Los Angeles. (Los Angeles Times) AROUND THE STATE — The San Diego City Council finalized compromise budget funding for brush management, flood prevention and recreation programs that Mayor Todd Gloria tried to veto. (San Diego Union-Tribune) — A state audit revealed that a charter school in Sacramento received more than $180 million in state funds that it was not eligible for following little oversight by state and local educational agencies. (Sacramento Bee) — The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors used for the first time its newly granted power to remove an elected sheriff for misconduct, among other violations. (East Bay Times) — compiled by Juliann Ventura
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Small Businesses and Organizations Speak Out Against Senate Bill 756
Dangerous Legislation would impose the highest tax increase on small businesses in Pennsylvania history HARRISBURG, PA, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pennsylvania small businesses and fraternal organizations are speaking out against harmful legislation that would potentially jeopardize their livelihoods. Senate Bill 756 targets skill games, implementing an effective tax rate of 40% and severely limiting the locations that could host the games. The 'kill skill' bill, filed by Senator Chris Gebhard, would impose the highest tax rate on small businesses and organizations in Pennsylvania's history. Skill games provide supplemental income for thousands of local restaurants, bars, taverns, VFWs, American Legions, and volunteer fire halls across the Commonwealth. These establishments use skill game income to pay bills, create jobs, increase wages, offer health benefits, make location updates, and donate to important community causes. If skill games are taxed so high that they are no longer affordable, many of these locations say they will be facing an uncertain future. Here is what a few had to say: 'Skill games are what keep my business afloat. Without them, 12 employees will lose their jobs because that is what keeps us in business. With today's environment for bars, if we lost the games, it would shut us down.' - Raymond Krise, Owner, Last Chance Inn (Dagus Mines) 'The skills machine money helps us operate and cover our day-to-day expenses. We also donate a lot of money to local organizations. For us not to have the extra income from the skills machines, I am not sure what could happen to us down the road. I feel as though we would struggle to pay our monthly bills, and we wouldn't be able to help the community like we do currently.' - Rebecca Rosa, Club Steward, VFW Post 7418 (Gap) 'The supplemental income from the skill games during our slow business months helps pay our utilities and also plays a vital role in avoiding employee layoffs. If the games are overtaxed or overregulated, and the income would decrease, we would have to raise prices to our customers and possibly cut employee hours or decrease our staff.' - Theodore Koutsokostas, Owner, 3rd Base Family Restaurant (York) 'We are a small business, a private club that is a nonprofit. We give donations to local organizations in need. We use our skill game money for repairs on the building and food. If it wasn't for skills money, we would not be in business anymore.' - Margot Chillas, Manager, Rainmakers Association Lodge (Lancaster) 'Skill games help considerably in paying monthly utilities (gas, water, electric, etc). Without them, our sales would drop significantly. As well as our means to pay expenses. This could possibly put us out of business.' - Allan Groll, Owner, Corner Saloon (St. Marys) 'If the PA Skills revenue were to be overtaxed or eliminated, a large portion of our donations would need to be reduced or cut altogether. SB 576 would be extremely detrimental to our business and reduce foot traffic. Our employees would probably look for other employment because of the lack of customers, and many members would visit less frequently.' - David Templeton, President, Summerhill Social Club (Summerhill) 'Skill games have had a large hand in helping us recover post-COVID, measures that were nearly a death blow to many neighborhood small businesses. Because of skill games, we were able to retain our employees and stay in business, continuing to serve our community, which we have been a part of since 1998. If passed, Senate Bill 756 would almost certainly cause us to shut down.' - Geeta Patel, Owner, Roxborough News Shop (Philadelphia) 'As a social club and community organization, we donate a large amount of money annually to organizations, as well as individuals in need. With rising costs, our ability to meet the ever-increasing requests for help is becoming more difficult. Any decrease in the funds our skill games generate will have an adverse effect on our ability to help those in need. We depend on the skill games.' - Dennis Arcadipane, Trustee, Sons of Italy (Lock Haven) 'Skill games have become a crucial part of keeping our place running. Between rising costs, insurance hikes, and tighter margins, the extra income helps cover the stuff that doesn't get talked about — like keeping full-time staff on during slower months, paying for last-minute repairs, or even making sure our entertainment budget doesn't disappear. If skill games were to be pulled or taxed into oblivion, it would genuinely hurt our business in a big way. Without that revenue, we'd likely have to cut back hours or reduce staffing, especially during the slower seasons, eliminate some of the free entertainment/events we offer to bring people in, raise prices just to keep up with rising costs, and reconsider how often we can support community fundraisers or sponsorships.' - Warsha Nagpal, Owner, Boomerang Bar & Grill (New Cumberland) 'We are an American Legion, and we rely on the PA Skill games to help pay for general expenses and wages. The money that is raised from the PA Skill machine allows us to pay our employees a little more and to treat our members to more benefits. If PA Skill were taken out of our establishment, the cost of our drinks/food would have to be increased. Higher prices, less customers. Huge Impact!' - Karen Bowers, Steward (Manager), New Holland American Legion (New Holland) 'Skill games allow us to do building improvements and maintenance on the building that we might not otherwise be able to afford. If we had to get rid of the games, I believe our overall sales would decrease. We are a nonprofit club and donate a big portion of our profits back to the community. So not only would we suffer, so would other organizations in our town that rely on donations.' - Diane Del Rio, Bar Manager, Johnsonburg American Legion Post 501 (Johnsonburg) 'Skills games allow our lodge to stay open. With rising costs of products and increased utilities, insurance, etc., without them, we would have to significantly raise our prices to stay in business. If SB 756 passes, we will seriously have to sit down and look at the survivability of this lodge. We would, most likely, not survive long term. Many clubs and small bars are in the same position as myself.' - Cole Luchs, Manager, Ridgway Elks Lodge #872 (Ridgway) 'The machines have helped us pay for a lot of equipment. We had to put in a new air conditioning system, a new ice machine. We also had to put in a new beer box and sub as well as other items. Without the machines, more than likely, we will not be able to survive. We would more than likely have to close because our income is not that great, and I also know that it would affect a lot of the local clubs here in Lansdale, which are quite a few.' - William Gardner, President/Manager, VSB Post 23 (Lansdale)Small businesses and organizations across the state are urging legislators to vote NO on Senate Bill 756. They are calling on lawmakers to instead support common-sense regulation for skill games with a fair tax rate. One such proposal is Senator Gene Yaw's SB 626, which would implement reasonable regulations and guidelines for skill games while also ensuring that small businesses and organizations can continue to operate and benefit from them. About PA TAPThe Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association helps protect member businesses, fraternal clubs, volunteer fire companies, and veterans' organizations in challenging times. PA TAP's mission is to help members succeed financially through legislative efforts beneficial to their stability and growth. Learn more here. CONTACT: Jeanette Krebs Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association (PA TAP) 717-418-6106 jk@
