Approved bill lets TN corporations avoid increased taxation
A bill that largely spares Tennessee corporations from an increase in state business taxes otherwise triggered by President Donald Trump’s 2017 federal tax overhaul is on its way to Gov. Bill Haslam for his signature, reports the Times Free Press.
According to a legislative fiscal note, enactment of the bill (SB2119, as amended) means the state will be giving up potential $112 million in foregone state corporate excise tax revenue over a period of several years beginning in fiscal year 2020-2021. And businesses, of course, will be spared paying that much in added taxes.
With Haslam signature, legal Sunday booze sales can begin this weekend
Gov. Bill Haslam today signed into law legislation that authorizes Sunday sales of liquor and wine, according to his communications department. The bill (HB1540) says that, insofar as liquor stores go, it takes effect “upon becoming law” – meaning when governor signs it.
Thus, Tennessee liquor stores could legally be open on this Sunday if the operators wish – or have time to prepare. But the bill also declares the effective date for grocery stores and supermarkets that sell wine only is Jan. 1, 2019. The first Sunday after that date is Jan. 6, 2019.
‘Tennessee milk’ joins ‘Tennessee whiskey’ as legislature-approved marketing label
The Legislature has given final approval to a bill authorizing the use of the label “local Tennessee milk” in marketing dairy products, reports the Johnson City Press. A milk marketing company that recently cancelled contracts with East Tennessee milk producers says it’s reviewing ramifications of the measure.
House balks at six-hour minimum on motel room rentals (after unanimous Senate approval)
A bill prohibiting rental of motel rooms for less than six hours – passed unanimously in the Senate – failed on the House floor Wednesday with one critic citing the TV show ‘Shark Tank’ in voicing opposition, reports The Tennessean.
Governor’s daughter, son-in-law buy 250-acre N.C. mountain retreat
Gov. Bill Haslam’s daughter and her husband are buying “The Swag,” a 250-acre western North Carolina mountain inn and retreat currently owned by Haslam family friends, reports the News Sentinel.
David and Annie Haslam Colquitt will purchase the property from founders and longtime owners Dan and Deener Matthews… Annie Haslam Colquitt is the daughter of Gov. Bill Haslam and granddaughter of Pilot Flying J founder Jim Haslam. David, an attorney, left his job as a Pilot Flying J executive last month.
Nine Tennesseans make 2018 Forbes rich list; Jimmy Haslam richer than Trump, but not Bill
Nine Tennesseans are on Forbes’ 2018 list of the world’s richest people, including Gov. Bill Haslam, who the magazine had declared the nation’s richest politician prior to the election of President Donald Trump.
Trump is still ahead of Haslam in wealth — $3.1 billion of net worth to the governor’s $2.3 billion, by the Forbes estimate. That’s down a bit from last year for the president, who has declared Forbes underestimates his wealth. It’s unchanged for the governor, who has always refused to discuss the “private matter” of his fortune, based on the family-owned Pilot Flying J chain of gas stations.
Jimmy Haslam, the governor’s brother and CEO of Pilot, is listed with a net worth of $3.4 billion – ahead of the president as well as his brother.
Bill Lee quits business coalition board that endorsed candidate in Nashville mayor’s race
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee resigned from the board of the Nashville Business Coalition Wednesday after the group publicly urged Democrat David Briley to seek election as Nashville mayor and called on other prospective candidates to stay out of the race, reports Tennessee Star. Briley, who had been vice mayor, took over duties as mayor following the resignation of former mayor Megan Barry this week.
AG contradicts Jack Daniels’ bill — says whiskey barrels can be taxed
A legal opinion from the state attorney general’s office says the barrels used to age whiskey in Tennessee distilleries are subject to property taxes paid by businesses, despite a contention to the contrary in a bill pending before the General Assembly.
Producers of Jack Daniels whiskey have been pushing the bill (SB2076) since officials in Moore County laid plans to begin applying the tax to aging barrels, something not done in the past. The fiscal note prepared by legislative staff estimates that would mean about $2.8 million in new revenue for Tennessee’s smallest county.
Slatery among critics of federal move to block state oversight of student loan collectors
The Trump administration is taking steps to shield student loan collection companies from state regulators, over the objections of consumer advocates and even some Republican attorneys general, reports Politico. Tennessee AG Herbert Slatery is one of them.
Boyd company gets third TN base in minor league baseball management
Boyd Sports, owned by Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Randy Boyd, is taking over management of the Greeneville Reds. It will be the third minor league baseball team in Tennessee to have an agreement with the Knoxville company, reports the Greeneville Sun.