California
California Tax-Sharing Transparency Bill Would Benefit Everyone
California residents should know how much of their tax dollars are going to big-box retailers, local businesses, and the consultants who broker revenue-sharing deals with cities. That’s why a bill moving through the state legislature is such welcome news.
The measure, A.B. 2854, focuses on the transparency of information that’s now accessible to the state, local districts, cities, and residents related to monies that are part of shared agreements between a few dozen California cities and either large retail chains or other businesses. The bill is now before the legislature’s Appropriations Committee.
These agreements send millions of dollars annually to some of the world’s largest retailers, including Apple Inc., Best Buy Co. Inc., and Walmart Inc. California cities would have to disclose how much sales tax revenue they give to the retailers, as well as how much the cities are receiving as a boon to themselves from these deals.
The funds used to broker these deals are considered public monies because, if they weren’t part of the deal, they could be used for public facilities, public roads, and so on. Local constituents and business owners are told where their taxes and the public funds are going. These transactions should be no different.
The funds that these cities are distributing and receiving affect not only that specific city, but also the localities and their constituents around that city. Neighboring towns and their businesses should know how many dollars and what related agreement terms are involved so they too can decide how to incentivize their city with local and national retailers.
One potential argument against A.B. 2854 is that information on tax-sharing agreements should be withheld from all individuals and businesses due to growing tension and resentment by cities and businesses that aren’t part of these deals.
But those individuals, localities, and businesses already know these agreements exist and that cities and retailers are getting exorbitant amounts of monies handed to them for these deals.
Showing the true nature of these agreements won’t deter any existing tension and resentment. Instead, it would allow uninvolved businesses or cities to determine how to best use a similar agreement and relationship to benefit themselves as well.
It is unreasonable to assume that individuals and businesses would be willing to accept limitations on accessing data related to public funds—not when those limitations could hinder possible attempts to improve their state, their localities, and their livelihoods.
These retailer tax-sharing agreements and their related data bring local windfalls by creating jobs and an influx of monies necessary to bettering the community and its individuals. Allowing the data from those agreement to become fully available and accessible is beneficial to all.
This article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc., the publisher of Bloomberg Law and Bloomberg Tax, or its owners.
Author Information
Lauren Suarez is an attorney at RJS Law with focus on federal and state tax controversy matters.
Allison Soares is a tax attorney at Vanst Law who focuses on audits, collections, appeals, international disclosures, and all other tax problems.
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California
California man enters US 95, dies in crash southeast of Boulder City, Nevada State Police says
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A California man died in a crash Friday southwest of Boulder City, Nevada State Police said.
Police sent details to FOX5 on a fatal crash that happened in the area of the US 95 and mile marker 4 in Clark County April 25 around 9:29 p.m. Police said this is about 6 miles southeast of Boulder City.
Police said that the driver of a 2005 GMC Yukon traveled southbound on US 95 in the far right travel lane. At this moment, a pedestrian entered the US 95 from the center median into the path of the driver.
The pedestrian was identified by police as Julian Gusan, a 34-year-old from Redlands, California. Arriving officers at the scene said he died on scene from his injuries.
He was struck by the GMC’s front, and according to police, the driver stayed on scene for investigating officers.
“The investigation is being conducted by the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol – Southern Command Multidisciplinary Investigation & Reconstruction Team,” police said. “2024 Year to date: The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Southern Command has investigated 21 fatal crashes resulting in 26 fatalities.”
Police said this year’s fatalities data is preliminary and may change/be updated based on final investigation and coroner reports.
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
A wind-whipped wildfire in Kern County quickly passed 1,000 acres on Thursday afternoon and prompted an evacuation warning.
The School Fire was reported at 1:41 p.m. east of the city of Maricopa. By 3 p.m. it had burned 1,000 acres, and an evacuation warning was issued for a rural area south of Highway 166.
Within three hours, forward progress had been stopped and the warning was lifted, said a report from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
As of 7 a.m. Friday, May 3, the burned area was at 1,479 acres (2.3 square miles) and containment was 50%, CalFire said. The cause was under investigation.
It was the largest of the 10 wildfires logged by CalFire so far this year. Last week’s Refuge Fire burned 475 acres in Fresno County; an Inyo County fire in early April destroyed four structures and forced the evacuation of the community of Cartago.
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California — Here is a prayer I wrote for National Prayer Day that I delivered Thursday morning, May 2.
Hear the call, California, let’s rise and unite,
In our land of splendor, from plight to light.
From redwood shadows to shimmering shore,
Let’s build a future worth striving for.
“Listen,” resounds from valley to peak,
Affordable homes for all who seek.
In cities bustling and towns serene,
Let fairness dwell, let grace be seen.
Against the shadows of bigotry and hate,
Stand strong for love, let it resonate.
From San Diego’s warmth to the Bay’s cool mist,
Inclusion and safety top our list.
Housing that’s affordable, a roof for each head,
In neighborhoods where no one fears to tread.
From LA’s sprawl to Sacramento’s streets,
Let’s secure a haven where hope meets.
In tech’s grand hub, let innovation lead,
To solutions where compassion’s creed.
May Silicon Valley’s minds conceive,
New ways for the Golden State to achieve.
Let California’s dream be vast and bold,
A tale of kindness and courage told.
With every “shema,” let’s understand,
A call to act, for the future we planned.
Hear the call of the surf, the whispering pines,
For a state where every star aligns.
A haven of peace, where all are free,
California, let this our legacy be.
*
Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista. He may be contacted via michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com
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