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AB 155 (Calderon) paves the way for a nationwide solution by giving Internet retailers time to push for passage of a federal bill that mirrors California's legislation.
“A prolonged, costly ballot battle is a benefit to no one,” Gov. Brown said. “This landmark legislation not only levels the playing field between online retailers and California’s brick-and-mortar businesses, it will also create tens of thousands of jobs and inject hundreds of millions of dollars back into critical services like education and public safety in future years. It’s time for Washington to follow our lead and forge a bipartisan national solution.”
AB X1 28, passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor in June as part of the budget, affirmed that out-of-state online retailers like Amazon must collect sales tax.
The compromise legislation delays those tax collection obligations to give online companies time to seek an alternative national solution.
In exchange for the additional window of time the bill provides, Amazon has pledged to create at least 10,000 full-time jobs and hire 25,000 seasonal employees in California by the end of 2015.
This will generate an estimated half billion dollars of capital investment in California. Amazon will also drop its referendum challenge to AB X1 28.
“Amazon is grateful for Governor Brown's support of this bill and enactment of federal legislation, and we look forward to creating thousands of jobs in California,” said Paul Misener, vice president of Global Public Policy for Amazon.
If Congress fails to act on nationwide legislation, online sales tax collection in California will begin Sept. 15, 2012.
The Board of Equalization has estimated that California loses over $1 billion annually from uncollected use taxes. Their analysis also shows that California currently loses at least $83 million annually in uncollected state and local use tax attributed to Amazon’s sales in California.
Today’s compromise is supported by thousands of businesses, including Barnes & Noble Inc., Best Buy Inc., Crate & Barrel, Daniel’s Jewelers, Gap Inc., The Home Depot Inc., J.C. Penney Company Inc., Lowe's Companies Inc., Safeway Inc., Sears Holding Corporation, Target Corporation, Walmart Stores Inc., Westfield Group, and many other small- and medium-sized businesses across California.
“This is a major victory for brick-and-mortar businesses in this state. We thank Governor Jerry Brown and the leaders in the California State Legislature who have demonstrated their commitment to our businesses by passing and signing e-fairness into law,” said California Retailers Association President and CEO Bill Dombrowski. “Amazon's concession to finally begin collecting sales tax in California is a groundbreaking moment that sends a strong message to Washington that it is time to stop giving special treatment to a select few. All retailers deserve the chance to compete, grow and create jobs on a level playing field, without government picking winners and losers.”
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The purchase is the company's first in its fiscal year that began Aug. 1, and the fourth this calendar year. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Economy Propane is a perfect example of a company that meets Ferrellgas' strict criteria of acquiring good businesses in good markets,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Wambold. “We look forward to serving these new customers and to welcoming Economy's employees into the Ferrellgas family.”
This most recent purchase adds to the approximately 225 acquisitions the company has completed in its 72-year history.
During that time, Ferrellgas has grown from a small, family-owned business to a publicly traded company that is the nation's second largest propane retailer and, through its Blue Rhino operation, the nation's largest provider of propane by portable tank exchange.
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. is a Fortune 1000 company and, through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., serves approximately 1 million customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Ferrellgas Employees indirectly own more than 20 million common units of the partnership through an employee stock ownership plan.
More information about the company can be found at www.ferrellgas.com/.
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LUCERNE, Calif. – On Saturday, Sept. 24, enjoy the Kelseyville Pear Festival and around 5 p.m. head over to Lakeview Supermarket and Deli in downtown Lucerne.
Kenny and Deana Parlet invite all chamber members, their friends and family to come and celebrate Lakeview’s 42nd anniversary.
Lake County Chamber members, check in at the Lake County Chamber Registration table for your member wristband.
Then enjoy a barbecued chicken and rib dinner for only $10, including a beverage.
Dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m. and served up until 7:30 p.m.
After some exciting raffle drawings, there will be music provided by Tony Barthel.
A sidewalk sale, meat cutting demonstrations and dancing will go on until 9:30 p.m. or even later.
Plan to attend both the Kelseyville Pear Festival, and then come celebrate, dance, enjoy a beverage and have a great meal with your friends at Lakeview Supermarket and Deli.
Lucerne’s Third Avenue Plaza is finally finished and is just a block away. Come see Lucerne's beautiful new parks, and stop by to celebrate with Lakeview Supermarket & Deli. You might want to bring an ice chest to stock up on Northern California’s best meats at unbelievable prices.
Lakeview Supermarket and Deli is located at 6068 E. Highway 20, Lucerne.
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WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Huge month to month jumps in gas prices can be seen in many metro areas across Northern California, according to the latest report from AAA Northern California, which tracks gas prices as a service to consumers.
According to AAA, all but four Northern California metro areas tracked by the organization saw double digit increases at the pump over the past month.
The Golden State’s average for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.95, up 17 cents since last month’s AAA report on Aug. 9. For perspective, that’s 93 cents higher than California’s average price on this date last year.
Among all 50 states, California has the third highest state average price for regular, unleaded gasoline. Hawaii is first and Alaska is second.
Northern California gas prices are now averaging $3.93, up 14 cents from last month. In the San Francisco Bay Area, motorists can expect to pay an average price of $4, which is a 12-cent increase. The national average price of $3.64 is down by one cent, which is 93 cents more than the national price on this date last year, when it was $2.71.
“Although demand for gasoline has fallen over the past week, which would typically help keep prices down, storms in the Gulf and East Coasts have applied upward pressure on gasoline prices in several parts of the country,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “In California, the state’s average price for gasoline has recently been relatively steady.”
Oil is a global commodity that is traded around the world. Economic fears among investors typically means the price per barrel drops, and the price of gas usually follows.
Recently, concerns over the condition of European economies caused the price of crude to drop, but the price then rallied as the value of the U.S. dollar dropped.
Commodities are traded in U.S. dollars. As the dollar weakens, relative to currencies abroad, the effective price of these products (including crude oil) for investors outside of the U.S. becomes cheaper. Oil futures become a more attractive investment and prices are pressured upward.
However, some market analysts feel the oil market will move lower in the long-term. Adding credence to this bearish long-term forecast is news from the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy Information Administration. It lowered its forecast for both oil prices and demand growth over the next 16 months, citing lower growth projections for domestic and global economies.
The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Marysville where regular is $3.85. Of all the metro areas in Northern California where gas prices are tracked by AAA, Eureka and South Lake Tahoe both have an average price of $4.08, the highest in Northern California.
This is also the highest price in the lower 48 states. The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in St. Louis, Missouri, where the average price of gas is $3.25. Wailuku, Hawaii, holds the dubious crown for the highest average price in the nation, at $4.39 per gallon.
One way consumers can reduce the amount of money they spend on fuel is to shop aggressively for the lowest price. AAA now offers text alerts via mobile phone for low gas prices in your area. Sign up today at www.aaa.com/gas.