City News Roundup

Amazon saves us some heartache and more Dallas city news

Amazon, come on, what's not to love?

Courtesy photo

Amazon may have snubbed Dallas but that's okay because tourism in Dallas is up. Other people like us. Meanwhile, a Dallas seat for the Texas House of Representatives is undergoing a recount following the midterm election on November 6.

Here's what happened in Dallas this week:

Amazon out
Amazon swiped left on Dallas this week, and the brouhaha is finally over. The company announced that it will split its second headquarters between New York City and Arlington, Virginia, ending a 15-month spectacle that played out like a reality TV show for cities.

Big D was among the final three sites under consideration. After the announcement, city hall released its pitch for HQ2, and, boy what a pitch it was.

Dallas officials offered Amazon more than $600 million in incentives and tax breaks to erect a behemoth tower park south of City Hall in what was pitched as the Day 1 District.

If Amazon chose Dallas, its employees would get free pets from Dallas Animal Services, membership to the city zoo and Arboretum, pedicabs, and $1.5 million in other express transportation options for the office park.

That's not all: Dallas also offered 2,000 free nights at the Omni Hotel and free meeting space at facilities all over the city, including the convention center and Trinity Forest Golf Club.

The city would have ponied up $25 million for a new Amazon hangar at Dallas Executive Airport and built a helipad.

Then, a new Amazon Go Team would have been created to go snipping away at red tape for permits or practically anything else Amazon would want.

With no HQ2, that's all just daydreams now.

Tourism up
Tourism in Dallas had a record-setting year in 2017, according to VisitDallas, the city's tourism bureau.

In 2017, 7.2 million people visited Dallas, spending $4.7 billion and giving an economic impact of $8 billion, according to VisitDallas, the city’s tourism bureau.

The top events that brought the most hotel stays were athletic competitions, leading with the National Football League draft and the Red River Showdown. There were three non-sports events: Mary Kay's summer seminars, the National Rifle Association's conference, and Market Hall's home and gift market.

The number of visitors Dallas has increased by about 13 percent since 2013.

Election recount
Candidate Joanna Cattanach hasn't given up her fight to represent the 108th state congressional district.

She ran against State Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas, who currently leads over Democratic challenger Cattanach by 221 votes, according to unofficial results. Meyer has claimed victory in the race.

But on November 14, Cattanach asked for a recount.

"As of Tuesday, the vote differential in this race is 221 as compared to 440 on election night. That amounts to 0.28 percentage difference," she said.

Nassar lawsuit
Former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced on November 15 to 175 years in prison in his sexual abuse case, is facing another lawsuit from a former athlete.

Dallas gymnast Kennedy Baker filed a lawsuit on November 14, alleging that USA Gymnastic and the U.S. Olympic Committee failed to prevent Nassar's sexual abuse.

"In my final chapter of my gymnastics career, I am coming forward to share my story of abuse," Baker tweeted. "Inspired by the strong women who have come before me, I stand ready to help enact a culture change at @USAGym & @TeamUSA. We will not be silenced."

Nassar is already serving 60 years in federal prison for child pornography charges.

city-news-roundup

always be prepared

Texas tax holiday offers 3 days to stock disaster supplies tax-free

Fire extinguisher, emergency supplies tax free weekend Texas

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Emergency supplies like fire extinguishers that cost less than $75 are eligible for a tax break this weekend.

The best time for Texas residents to stock up on supplies to prepare for natural disasters is coming up this weekend. The annual statewide Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday runs from April 25-27, when Texans will be able to purchase critical emergency supplies — plus household necessities like batteries and fire extinguishers — tax-fee.

Shoppers can purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free starting at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 25, and the "holiday" runs until midnight on Monday, April 27. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the weekend, and purchases can be made in store, online, through the mail, and via custom order.

Saving on emergency supplies
Emergency preparation supplies must be purchased under certain price brackets to qualify for the tax exemption. For example, portable generators must have a sales price less than $3,000 to qualify for a tax break. Ladders and hurricane shutters that cost less than $300 also qualify.

Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sales price, according to the Comptroller. So if a shopper buys a $299 rescue ladder and is charged a $10 delivery fee, the total sales price for the purchase is $309, and tax would need to be paid for that sales price.

Additional items that qualify for a tax break as long as they cost less than $75 include:

Axes
Batteries – single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Ice products – including reusable and artificial ice
Light sources – including those that are battery operated or portable self-powered sources; candles, flashlights, and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Non-electric can openers
Non-electric coolers and ice chests for food storage
Radios – including portable self-powered radios, battery operated radios, two-way radios, and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting

The full list of qualifying items is available on The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' website.

As a reminder, over-the-counter items like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, and spray and wipes are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel in compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

Non-qualifying items that will still be taxed
Medical masks, face masks, and gloves of any kind do not qualify for a tax exemption. Other taxable items including toilet paper, cleaning supplies (such as disinfectants and bleach wipes), vehicle or boat batteries, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, and stepladders. Camping equipment and supplies, including stoves and tents, are also not eligible for a tax break.

Additionally, any repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies do not qualify for tax exemptions, and neither do any services that are performed on or related to those supplies.

What to do if a qualifying item is taxed during the holiday
If customers buy a tax-exempt item between April 25-27 and are still taxed, they may request a refund from the seller on the tax paid for the item. The seller can grant the refund to the buyer, or provide them with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which would allow the customer to file a claim for their refund through the Comptroller's website.

tax free weekend emergency supplies texas