Which Way, L.A.?
Should Amazon Have to Collect Your Sales Tax?
Amazon is America's most popular online retailer, but it's at war with the State of California, which has enacted a law requiring it to collect sales taxes....
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenAmazon is America's most popular online retailer, but it's at war with the State of California, which has enacted a law requiring it to collect sales taxes. That could mean a billion dollars for the state budget, but it deprives Amazon of a price advantage over brick-and-mortar stores. What's best for the economy? What does it mean for consumers? We hear about a high-stakes battle that Amazon wants resolved next year by California voters. Also, tragedy at Yosemite's Vernal Falls. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, is political gridlock in Washington a threat to governance?
Banner image: Amazon.com distribution center in McDonough, Georgia, near Atlanta. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/Newsmakers
In this episode
3 storiesThree Killed by Waterfall at Yosemite
The top of Vernal Falls is the most popular hiking destination in Yosemite Valley. A thousand people reach it a day without incident. But yesterday, three people were swept to their deaths by the rushing waters and are presumed to be dead. Scott Gediman is a park ranger and spokesman at Yosemite National Park .
Read the story7 minAmazon, Traditional Business and the California Ballot
The US Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that online retailers don't have to collect sales tax unless they have a physical presence in the state.
Read the story19 minPolitical Gridlock and the Fight over the Consumer Watchdog Agency
Political gridlock is pushing Washington closer to financial catastrophe if the two parties can't agree to raise the debt ceiling by August 2. Now there's potential gridlock over implementing last year's finance reform , passed by the Democrats when they controlled both houses. This year, Republicans are hell-bent to change it.
Read the story26 min
