I wrote an article that appeared in the Sunday Insight section of the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate.com. The opinion piece, titled “Web tax bill off – for now,” was part of a three-story package asking the question “Is it time to tax the Internet?”
I met with the Chronicle’s Editorial Board at the end of April, along with Linda Raasch (BizKidz.com), Rob Smahl (eBates) and David Roland (a PPC affiliate), as part of an on-going effort by affiliates to educate influencers and the media about the negative impact California Assembly Bill 178 would have on small businesses.
The four Chronicle editors we met with seemed very interested AB 178 and asked a lot of really good questions about the affiliate space, the pending bill and online taxation. Everyone who participated from the affiliate side was great at conveying their unique business stories and gave very compelling arguments as they put a human face on an issue that unfairly singles out affiliates. A day later the Chronicle contacted me about contributing an article.
Less than a week after meeting with the Chronicle Editorial Board, the hearing for AB 178 was slated to take place in Sacramento. I hitched a ride up there with affiliate manager Trisha Fawver, who has been a great supporter in the fight against AB 178 and similar tax bills in other states. Just as we pulled up to the Capitol we received word that the AB 178 was taken off the docket and made into a two year bill.
I figured that event would make AB 178 a non-story for the Chronicle, so I was surprised when my contact said the newspaper would like me write a piece that would appear in the Sunday edition as part of a larger issue.
The package includes: my story; one written by James G. Lakely, the managing editor of InfoTech; and another in support of the bill by lobbyists.
Thanks to Beth Kirsch, Brook Schaaf, Karen Garcia and many others for getting editorial meetings set up around the state. And a huge thanks to all the affiliates that are putting out big efforts out to fight bills in a multitude of states that threaten to do harm to the online marketing space.
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