Maryland’s Digital Advertising Tax Will Stand
Federal district court dismisses challenge to Maryland’s digital ad tax. In Chamber of Commerce of the United States v. Lierman, the US District Court for the District of Maryland rejected the chamber’s claim that Maryland’s digital advertising tax violates the Constitution. The business group argued the law ran afoul of the First Amendment by preventing companies from directly passing the tax on to customers through separate fees, surcharges, or line items. The court ruled that the provision focuses on conduct, not speech. The ruling allows Maryland to continue collecting the tax.
Democratic senators request special counsel appointment to investigate Supreme Court Justice Thomas for possible tax law violations. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) wrote Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for the appointment, noting the public reporting alleging that Justice Thomas failed to disclose luxury trips and gifts. “The serious possibility of additional tax fraud” are among issues that warrant the appointment, the senators wrote.
Bipartisan bill could pave way for carbon import tax. Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) have introduced a bill that calls for a federal study of carbon intensity for common domestic imports, or the Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency (PROVE IT) Act. The Senate version of the legislation was introduced last year. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) opposed the measure, calling it “legislation that would facilitate a domestic carbon tax on American families and consumers.”
Portland, Oregon, may put before voters a tax to expand homeless services in May 2025. The Metro Council’s chief operating officer recommends that the tri-county government add the measure to the May 2025 ballot. The measure would seek to expand how revenue from the Supportive Housing Services tax can be used. Voters approved the tax in 2020. The 1 percent levy applies to income above $125,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples.
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