In Your Backyard - May 6, 2008

Arkansas
Senator Defends Union Card Check Bill
In a rare clash with the state's business establishment, U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) last week said the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce has 'probably exaggerated' claims about the impact of a controversial labor union bill to the state economy. Pryor supports a measure to allow workers to form unions without secret ballot elections, but the state chamber has made opposition to the pending 'card check' bill one of its top priorities. The bill would allow workers to sign authorization cards in order to join unions, thus making it much easier to unionize, employers maintain.
Source: Arkansas News Bureau

 

Delaware
Scrap Metal Dealers Cry Foul Over New Regulations
Scrap dealers across the state are protesting new regulations that go into effect June 1 requiring, among other things, licensing, detailed documentation on all items bought and sold and waiting periods that will slow the sale of scrap metal in a time of turbulent prices. “The law puts Delaware dealers at a competitive disadvantage because there are dealers just over the line in Chester, Pa., who are not subject to that law,” said Scott Sherr, president of Diamond State Recycling in Wilmington, the state's largest scrap metal processor. Violations of the new law are misdemeanors punishable by $10,000 fines and the loss of the dealer's license.
Source: The News Journal

 

Hawaii
Lawmakers Go Home Without Passing Business Bills
The state’s legislative session, which ended May 1, brought no good news for Hawaii's businesses, which are struggling with one of the nation’s highest tax rates, according to the Hawaii Reporter newspaper. The session, instead, focused on additional tax increases, more employer mandates and burdensome business regulations. Legislators failed to pass medical tort reform, instead passing bills that ban specific products, including Styrofoam, incandescent light bulbs, and plastic bags, the newspaper said.
Source: Hawaii Reporter

 

New York
State Begins Cracks Down on Internet Sales Tax
A new state law requires out-of-state Internet retailers to begin collecting sales tax on purchases made in New York State. State budget officials estimate the law, passed as part of the state budget, will bring in $50 million this year and $73 million next year from online sales. The state has sent notices to the 500 largest e-tailers in the state, saying they have to register and begin collecting sales taxes by June 1.
Source: Newsday

 

Oklahoma
City Takes Top Spot in Forbes.com Recession Poll
Oklahoma City's ability to avoid the economic doldrums afflicting much of the rest of the nation has garnered the city a "recession-proof” label from Forbes.com, the Web site of the national business magazine. The Web site took note of the soaring commodity prices that have caused a boom in the energy and agricultural sectors, helping to keep unemployment in check. And Oklahoma City is home to "one of the country's strongest housing markets,” Forbes.com said.
Source: The Oklahoman