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Amazon’s predatory monopoly is still unchecked, but a coalition of authors is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate it. In a 24-page letter, the coalition contends that Amazon is abusing its market power in ways that undermine competition and compromise liberty, free speech, and democracy.
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Under what has become known as the “dark store” method, big-box retailers are declaring their busy stores to be functionally obsolescent and therefore nearly worthless for tax purposes —and they’re winning big judgments for back taxes. It’s the latest example of the way that, even as local governments continue to bend over backwards to attract big-box development, these stores are consistently a bad deal for communities. … Read More
No company moves as much stuff across the world’s oceans as Walmart does, and the climate consequences are immense. Ferrying all those cheap TVs, T-shirts, toasters, and toys from Asian factories to ports in the U.S. and elsewhere releases huge amounts of greenhouse pollutants into the atmosphere, including both carbon dioxide (CO2) and black carbon. We’ve compiled a few key data points on shipping’s climate impact and Walmart’s dominance in the movement of goods across the world’s oceans.… Read More
In our op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, we look at how much of our public policy seems to designed to bend the market in the favor of big corporations, and put small, independent businesses at a competitive disadvantage.… Read More
The precipitous decline in the number of community banks in recent years is a national crisis, and there’s a fierce debate underway right now about what’s to blame.… Read More
San Francisco Examiner, May 4, 2015 Despite San Francisco’s reputation as a land of the strange, its neighborhoods are like a modern-day “Leave it to Beaver.” This includes my home of the Richmond. Walking down Geary Boulevard past Nizario’s Pizza, I give a nod to the guy slingin’ slices: Robby Squyres Jr., a local muay thai … Read More
The news that Amazon wants to expand its footprint in Minnesota, but only if it wins significant public subsidies, should put both taxpayers and public officials on high alert.… Read More
In this video, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell testifies at a hearing held by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, about how federal contracting and other forms of financial support for business should be overhauled to reflect American values and build the kind of economy we need.… Read More
Retail Dive, April 21, 2015 Jersey City, NJ’s planning board earlier this month overwhelmingly approved a measure to limit chain stores in an effort to preserve the town’s downtown character. “Mom-and-pop-type retailers protect that and foster that [character] and encourage that,” Mayor Steve Fulop said. The move, which now goes to the City Council for approval, … Read More
