Bob Lord Posted by Bob Lord The Economic Policy Institute is out with a study that looks at inequality in America state-by-state: The Increasingly Unequal States of America: Income Inequality by State, 1917 to 2011. So, how does Arizona rank? All in all, it’s one of the more unequal states, but the data don’t suggest there’s any pernicious reason … Read more
Posted by Bob Lord
Let's hope this is one of the last gasps of a dying snake.
The pathetic print newspaper industry, in a desperate attempt to preserve a publicly-mandated revenue stream that lost its justification decades ago, maliciously attacked Arizona House Rep. John Kavanagh in some of the most despicably self-serving and deceptive editorial pieces I've ever read (and I've read a lot).
Unfortunately, few members of the public likely understand what really is going on.
Let's be clear: Kavanagh and I are not exactly political chums, although I have nothing personal against him and do admire his willingness to comment here under his real name. But he's a right-wing conservative and I identify as Green. So I have no motive to shill for Rep. Kavanagh.
But I'm willing to give credit where credit is due, and John has introduced a piece of legislation, HB 2554, which is outstanding and long overdue. HB 2554 eliminates the requirement that newly formed corporations and limited liability companies publish their formation information in a print newspaper of general circulation.
The Arizona print newspaper industry collects millions in fees from business start-ups each year for printing these statutorily mandatory notices. The notices appear in seperate sections of numerous local newspapers. Nobody reads them.
And it's been that way for decades.
It's what's referred to as a private tax.
Decades ago, when local print newspapers were the best way to disseminate this information and far, far fewer corporations were formed, most states had publication requirements.
All but four states have eliminated the publication requirement because it no longer serves any purpose. From the way the Arizona print newspaper lobby is squealing like a stuck pig, you would never guess this to be the case, but it is.
In the past week, a spate of wildly deceptive editorial pieces have appeared in Ariozna newspapers, led of course by our Arizona Republic in What's this? John Kavanagh wants larger government?
Practically each line from the Republic either is misleading or is an outright lie, starting out with the glaring omission of the fact that the list of states retaining the publication requirement is down to four, and shrinking.
Posted by Bob Lord One of our readers and frequent commenters, Bess, suggested that we just ignore ole Thuckarooskie. That would be the conventional approach. But I actually think we may be on to something, so let’s not stop just yet. In Thing Two About Thucky, I guessed that the Thuckster is a religious dude, based on … Read more
Posted by Bob Lord One of our readers and frequent commenters, Bess, suggested that we just ignore ole Thuckarooskie. That would be the conventional approach. But I actually think we may be on to something, so let’s not stop just yet. In Thing Two About Thucky, I guessed that the Thuckster is a religious dude, … Read more
Posted by Bob Lord From Tom Tomorrow at Daily Kos (click to enlarge) –