There’s a new bill in the Tennesse legislature that needs to be stopped. It deals with the collection of sales tax from Internet sales. Right now, companies are not required to collect sales tax when they do not have a physical presence in the state where the purchaser is located. That’s why you can order from Amazon
However, a new bill in the legislature states that if a company has affiliate marketing partners within a state, that’s enough to qualify as a physical presence. That presents a huge problem: My sites, such as Tube Top Boutique and Mid-South Alcoholic Supply (and nearly 100 others), are Amazon affiliate sites. Therefore, under the new law, TN could claim that Amazon has a physical presence here, so all TN residents now have to pay sales tax on Amazon orders. (By the way, I’m one of thousands of Amazon affiliates in TN, so shutting down all my sites wouldn’t be enough to protect TN residents from the tax.) It’s a completely stupid law. Here’s a link to a video by marketing guru Shawn Collins discussing the proposed law in more detail.
This really, really sucks… if the law passes, Amazon could kick all of its TN affiliates, including me, out of the Amazon Associates program. Sales from my online stores were a big reason I survived 5 months between jobs this winter, and they provide additional money to supplement my paycheck. It would be a shame to lose that additional income stream after working so many hours for the past year to build all those storefronts.
In other news… I’ve been posting a lot about the new Paula & Raiford’s Disco on Second, but the disco in the old building (Hollywood Disco, on Vance, no longer affiliated with Raiford) is still alive and kicking. They’re doing some cool new stuff, including live music on some nights from 8 to 10, a new deck out back, free access to the VIP room on Fridays, and a free (tips only) limo service. I tend to spend more time at Paula & Raiford’s because it’s so much closer to where I live, but I like the folks at Hollywood Disco too and hope both places succeed in the long run.
Hmmm the Disco sent me an e-mail telling me about the new promotions, and bragging on their ’08 “Best of” awards, including Third Place for Best Cougar Bar… I don’t know if I’d brag on that one, but hey, their call. With first-place Spindini a short walk away, maybe those blocks of Main/Mulberry between Vance and Huling will get a reputation as “Cougarville.”
Don’t forget about Circa’s late-night reverse happy hour tonight. Good place to chill with a good cocktail. On Fridays and Saturdays from 10 PM to 12:30 AM, they have $3 beer, $4 wells, and $5 wines and specialty cocktails.
Today’s the Midtown crawfish fest in Overton Square, and for the umpteenth consecutive year the weather is crappy. Predicted high is only 62 today. I’m debating on whether or not to go. It’s odd how some festivals have consistently bad weather from year to year (Midtown crawfish fest, Music Fest) and some always have great weather (Rajun Cajun, Wine Race, RiverArtsFest). May have to get in the car and drive anyway, for another reason… will tell you more about that one if it pans out. Other stuff going on today: Brunch and beauty bar at the Rumba Room ’til 2, opening day at Mud Island, Death Cab for Cutie at the Orpheum, fireworks after the 6:05 PM Redbirds game tonight.