[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

This guy is just another whiner trying to set up the state to get some incentives. In the article he doesn't provide even one suggestion on how to make CT more business friendly he only says "avoid new major tax burdens" and "The other two conditions include a commitment from government leaders and politicians to foster a "hospitable" business climate and help make the Capital City more viable fiscally and as an attraction for young talent."

Open ended BS. This guy has some nerve to be whining when Black and Deckers NET INCOME for 2016
was 965.3 million dollars (that's almost 1 billion dollars)

SWK Annual Income Statement - Stanley Black & Decker Inc. Annual Financials

Profitable companies do not need incentives. Where's Aston Kucher ? He's bound to pop up from behind a bush any minute now to say "you've been punked" because this guy is a joke.

Corps prove opportunities, and should go to states that provide great business environments, by controlling their cost of gov't in the most efficient, least costly manner available.

[Sigequinox]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

I don't think the internet sales tax arbitrage really exists any more at least with all the major retailers. EVen Amazon is collecting sales tax on purchases by CT residents.

You might avoid sales tax if you buy something via ebay from an individual seller, but if you buy something from Target via ebay you will be paying sales tax.

I'd like to know what companies you are buying stuff from that are not collecting sales tax.

The only fairly large company with a big internet presence that I know of that doesn't collect sales tax in CT is newegg.com I have ordered lots of stuff from them over the years.

Any company with no physical presence in CT will not charge sales tax

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by Sigequinox

Any company with no physical presence in CT will not charge sales tax

I already know that. I am asking you what specific companies are you buying stuff from to save on sales tax ?

All the major retailers are collecting sales tax now, so I don't see an arbitrage opportunity any more by buying online. Unless you are buying very obscure stuff like a tea cozy for a 1958 tea kettle, medical grade lube only imported from Poland, or semi nude photos of Ernest Borgnine.

Newegg.com is the only one I can think of and the only one I have used.
Ebay can be good too, but only if you're buying from an individual seller and not a big retailer.

[Matrix2791]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

I already know that. I am asking you what specific companies are you buying stuff from to save on sales tax ?

All the major retailers are collecting sales tax now, so I don't see an arbitrage opportunity any more by buying online. Unless you are buying very obscure stuff like a tea cozy for a 1958 tea kettle, medical grade lube only imported from Poland, or semi nude photos of Ernest Borgnine.

Newegg.com is the only one I can think of and the only one I have used.
Ebay can be good too, but only if you're buying from an individual seller and not a big retailer.

I'm sure if you look hard enough you can find plenty of online companies not charging sales tax. It's not all that difficult.

[Lincolnian]

Pratt and Whitney and many local manufacturers are looking for engineers, machinists, and other skilled workers. Contrary to popular headlines the state is hiring and looking for people with skills and knowledge to meet the needs of 21st-Century society and compete globally. If the doom and gloom predictions continue to dominate the headlines and snuff out the news that real opportunities exist our decline will become self-fulfilling. It is ironic how I know so many people who are doing quite well, have been in secure good-paying jobs for many years, live in nice neighborhoods, and have healthy retirement savings and other assets yet they are convinced that they somehow are being ripped off and suffering. The fiscal problems definitely need to be addressed however it is not an overnight solution. Massachusetts began their plan for reducing their state income tax over a decade ago and implemented steps to reduce other expenses and cutback or eliminate other taxes. CT needs to follow suit but also needs to work on planning for the future and that includes making investments in infrastructure, partnering with businesses and universities to create new business opportunities and develop talent, and look to lead the way in addressing issues of national concern such as healthcare making Connecticut a standout option that attracts people to our state.

[Henry10]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

I'd like to know what companies you are buying stuff from that are not collecting sales tax..

Snitches get stitches.

[BPt111]

Malloy gives lawmakers two options for temporary budget fix | WTNH Connecticut News

[hartford_renter]

Dear Connecticut...

Please file for bankruptcy now! You have no other option. You were warned, its happening.

Thanks
HartfordRenter

[jeff22152]

As a native of Connecticut, I'll say the future of the state's economic viability rests on the ability of its cities and towns to cooperate regionally and even consolidate.

The New England "town" is obsolete in the present-day and incompatible with a global economy. If Connecticut is truly going to compete against other states and regions for a slice of the economic pie, it must shed its current form of local government: 169 tiny fiefdoms that rarely look beyond their own borders. In a nutshell, this inward and local provincialism is a principal reason why the state's economy has stagnated for decades, why the state cannot lure an adequate number of new high-paying jobs or industries, why its cities are a national embarrassment, and why it's a Herculean task to initiate any public reforms or investments to jump start the economy. What's worse, this provincialism, which has been fueled by 350 years of tradition, has spawned some of the most glaring racial and socioeconomic disparities in the country.

I know that the ideas of robust regional cooperation or municipal consolidation are controversial. With that said, how else can the state help save itself from fiscal ruin and economic irrelevance? The current model simply no longer works.

[blakesq]

Centralization of power works so well.

Originally Posted by jeff22152

As a native of Connecticut, I'll say the future of the state's economic viability rests on the ability of its cities and towns to cooperate regionally and even consolidate.

The New England "town" is obsolete in the present-day and incompatible with a global economy. If Connecticut is truly going to compete against other states and regions for a slice of the economic pie, it must shed its current form of local government: 169 tiny fiefdoms that rarely look beyond their own borders. In a nutshell, this inward and local provincialism is a principal reason why the state's economy has stagnated for decades, why the state cannot lure an adequate number of new high-paying jobs or industries, why its cities are a national embarrassment, and why it's a Herculean task to initiate any public reforms or investments to jump start the economy. What's worse, this provincialism, which has been fueled by 350 years of tradition, has spawned some of the most glaring racial and socioeconomic disparities in the country.

I know that the ideas of robust regional cooperation or municipal consolidation are controversial. With that said, how else can the state help save itself from fiscal ruin and economic irrelevance? The current model simply no longer works.