Legislation sponsored by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi and headed for likely passage by the Board of Supervisors would require San Francisco shoppers to pay 10 cents per bag provided by the store at checkout starting July 1. That charge would jump to 25 cents per bag two years later. The store providing the bag would pocket the money.

Finally a useful tax that will tackle one of this nation's biggest problems! I've been a longtime supporter of Christmas tree Marketing reform! We finally have a president that really cares!!

A thought provoking story on how taxes affect the rich and the poor.

The last continuing resolution expired Tuesday. With that expiration, the F.A.A. lost its ability to charge the 7.5% tax on airline tickets, which funds most of the agency’s functions. That means the agency is losing $200 million a week, according to the American Association of Airport Executives, money that is normally used to pay safety inspectors and improve airport facilities.

The agency also lost its ability to write checks or pay its credit card bills. Which leaves the inspectors to pay their own expenses.

Beginning Friday, Amazon.com and other large out-of-state retailers will be required to collect sales taxes on purchases that their California customers make online.