Stories you shouldn’t miss:
1. Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, who represents Berkeley, Richmond, and North Oakland, has reintroduced her bill to force Amazon.com and other online retailers to start collecting sales taxes, the SacBee reports. Skinner’s bill could generate between $250 million and $500 million in revenues for the state, and help level the playing field for brick-and-mortar stores who collect sales taxes when Amazon.com does not. Skinner’s bill was previously blocked by Republicans and former Governor Schwarzenegger, who sought to shield Amazon.com. But the Assemblywoman hopes that Governor Brown will support the legislation now that she has the backing of some major retailers like Barnes & Noble. Skinner says her bill only needs a majority vote in the Legislature because of rule changes approved by voters in November.
