Maryland
Governor Revives Living Wage Debate
Gov. Martin O'Malley deviated from the text of his State of the State speech last week and promised to back "living wage" legislation, a proposal that would force companies doing business with the state to pay workers upward of $11 an hour. Democratic lawmakers have pursued the measure before, but former Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich vetoed the bill.
Source: The Baltimore Sun

New York
Governor to Increase Business Taxes by Closing Loopholes
Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to raise $449 million by closing corporate loopholes is being described by business leaders as a thinly veiled business tax increase. Spitzer said the half-dozen loopholes allow companies to legally shelter revenue by shifting duties to subsidiaries set up in Delaware and other lower-tax states. Opponents say some of Manhattan's biggest multistate and global companies would have to pay millions more under Spitzer's proposals.
Source: Associated Press

Georgia
State Representative Introduces Bill to Cool Tax Climate
State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Garden City) has introduced a bill that would eliminate a tax on business inventories, partly in response to a recent study detailing Georgia's increasing business taxes. The Washington-based Tax Foundation found that Georgia's 10.4% "burden" has crept up during the past 25 years while those of surrounding states have remained fairly steady, implying Georgia could be at a competitive disadvantage.
Source: The Augusta Chronicle

Missouri
Lawmakers, Business Groups Push for "Right to Work" Status
Missouri should become a "right to work" state and end rules that require some people to join unions, or pay union dues, as a condition of their jobs, some lawmakers and state business groups said last week. Rep. Steve Hunter (R-Joplin) has introduced a bill to change Missouri's labor laws. Critics say businesses from all over the world have declined to move to Missouri because it's not a "right to work" state.
Source: The Jefferson City News Tribune

Illinois
Governor Aims to Insure All by Raising Business Taxes
Gov. Rod Blagojevich will unveil a plan next month to offer health coverage for all of the state's 1.7 million uninsured, sticking most of the $2-billion-plus annual tab to businesses. The governor and his staff outlined the proposal in recent meetings with key lawmakers, advocacy groups, and health care providers, say several people who attended the briefings. Blagojevich is considering raising corporate tax rates to pay for most of the plan, according to one person who attended the briefing.
Source: Crain's Chicago Business

Michigan
Critics Lambast Plan to Cut Business Tax
Senate Republicans said last week that a plan to cut business taxes by at least $290 million will energize Michigan's sluggish economy, but critics predicted it will deeply harm spending on local roads and police. City and township officials in particular opposed the GOP plan because it would eliminate the tax that manufacturers pay on new machinery and equipment. Half of that money goes directly to local governments.
Source: Associated Press

Arizona
Legislators Pass Trespassing Bill Targeted at Day Laborers
Lawmakers took their first stab last week at stopping day laborers from clogging public sidewalks and private properties, approving a bill that would make it a trespassing offense if anyone blocks a public right-of-way to solicit a job or hire a day laborer. It also toughens penalties, making it punishable by up to six months in jail or a maximum fine of $2,500. But several of the Republicans questioned what good the bill would do since existing trespassing laws are not enforced.
Source: The Arizona Republic

Oregon
House GOP Unveils Rainy Day Plan Favoring Business, Investment
House Republicans announced their Oregon Stability and Investment Plan to create a rainy day fund that protects the state from future budget shortfalls. The plan would boost private investments in Oregon businesses and workers by reducing the state's capital gains tax rate, which is among the nation's highest. The plan would also increase the estate tax exemption from $1 million to $2 million.
Source: Salem-News.com