Proposed regulations in Michigan could have a major impact on the state's tourism industry. The series of 10 bills introduced by House Democrats would do more to regulate short-term rentals.

The proposals include a 6% tax on rentals of 15 days or more, increased safety requirements for things like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and a $100 annual registration fee per listing.

Erika Farley, executive director of the Rental Property Owners Association of Kent County, said she has concerns - especially about the additional tax.

"We are looking for more parity along with the hotel industry, basically," said Farley. "The 6% excise tax, along with the other taxes, would actually be a higher tax - anywhere between 5% and 7% for short-term rentals - than it would for an actual, traditional hotel."

Farley added that short-term rentals aren't just for tourists - they're also an affordable option for professionals who need a temporary place to stay while in town on business.

In New Buffalo, a lakefront community with a population of about 1,800, Mayor John Humphrey said he doesn't agree with every aspect of the bills - but he's all for taxing short-term rentals.

Humphrey said his community has suffered for year due to what he calls the "gigantic" unrecovered tourism costs generated by these rentals - including negative affects on roads, sewer, water, and other public infrastructure.

"Every short-term rental has a residential use of 10 - residential use means the number of people that use the home - where a standard residence is only 2.2," said Humphrey. "And those costs are not recovered because there are no excise taxes, there are no use taxes, there are no lodging taxes on short-term rental."

If passed, the legislation could generate between $35 and $70 million. Backers say that money would be distributed to the local governments where the rental properties are located.

The bills have been referred to the Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance.

A proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture would clarify fair practices in the American meat industry.

The Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets rule would amend regulations under the 1921 Packers and Stockyards Act to define "unfair practices" as business conduct which harms the market and market participants.

Just four companies process about 85% of American beef--the result of a long process of corporate consolidation starting in the 1980s and was exposed during COVID-era market disruptions.

Nick Nemec, a longtime farmer and rancher, said the proposed rule could help.

"If we had -- you know, I don't know what the right number is -- a dozen, 20 packing plants slaughtering beef, then there'd be real competition in the marketplace," Nemec pointed out.

Vice President Kamala Harris, in a speech last week, said competition helps drive down prices. She also promised to support small businesses and implement a first-ever federal ban on price gouging, an approach her opponents called "price control."

Current laws against price gouging exist at the state level and some states do not have laws on it at all.

In South Dakota, Nemec runs a cow-calf operation and said while he does not deal directly with the big four beef corporations, he and his peers still feel the effects of the monopoly.

"We're the little bitty pipsqueaks at the bottom of the food chain," Nemec observed. "There's nothing we can do about it. I mean, we're at the whim of the market."

The comment period for the proposed rule ends Sept. 11.


get more stories like this via email

As Social Security marks its 89th anniversary, the program's future remains a crucial topic of discussion.

Jennifer Carlson, state director for AARP Ohio, led a community conversation to commemorate the event, focusing on the challenges facing Social Security and the importance of protecting it for millions of Americans. She said the program remains vital for older Americans.

"Ninety-four percent of Ohio's voters age 50 and older are more likely to vote for a candidate who will work to protect Social Security," Carlson reported. "From our viewpoint, if you pay into it and earn through a lifetime of hard work, you should count on it."

During the event, Carlson emphasized the financial challenges facing Social Security, particularly the risk of a 20% benefit cut if Congress does not act. Panelists discussed potential solutions, such as eliminating the payroll tax cap and improving the cost-of-living adjustment formula to ensure the program's long-term solvency.

Carlson argued it is important for the community to stay involved in securing Social Security's future and AARP is committed to helping older Americans navigate their options.

Max Richtmam, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, sought to dispel common myths surrounding Social Security. Richtman addressed one of the most common misconceptions, which suggests Social Security is broke.

"That is untrue, totally false," Richtman stressed. "When people hear that, they think, 'Well, I may as well not support the program because it's going to be broke.' But that's simply not the case."

Richtman explained while the surplus in Social Security's trust fund is being drawn down, it will never be completely depleted unless the country faces 100% unemployment. He also rebutted claims that undocumented workers are draining the system. He pointed out they also contribute to Social Security, but will never collect benefits if they lack a valid Social Security number.

Romina Boccia, director of federal budget and entitlement policy at the Cato Institute, addressed the economic implications of potential solutions and warned raising payroll taxes to avoid benefit cuts could impose a burden on younger workers.

"A U.S. worker earning about $60,000 a year would end up paying more than $10,000 in taxes for to keep the program funded as it is currently," Boccia outlined. "That would be a more than $3,000 tax increase for someone making a fairly modest income."

The event concluded with a clear message: Social Security remains a cornerstone of financial security for millions but its future depends on informed public discourse and responsible political action. A future event is planned in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

August is National Black Business Month, and an emerging program in the Milwaukee area is seen as a game-changer in elevating minority-owned businesses trying to get off the ground. This year, several partners launched MKE BOSS - which stands for Build, Operate, Scale and Sustain. The digital platform links entrepreneurs of color with a range of resources, including lending and technical assistance.

Pam Bell, city executive with Self-Help Federal Credit Union, said for a lot of Black and brown business owners, it can be hard for them to navigate the financial services sector.

"Whatever that business is, whether it's food service and you're skilled in that trade, 'But how do I scale this?' - breaking down how much it costs to create a product and, 'How much do I need to put back into my business so that it's profitable?' and all of that," she explained.

The program's partners, including Self-Help, want to help these business owners shape their vision and establish more generational wealth in underserved areas. While this initiative is Milwaukee-centric, organizers hope to create a standard that serves as an inspiration for towns and cities elsewhere. Various rankings describe Wisconsin as one of the worst states for racial disparities.

Wendy Baumann, president of Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation, another partner, said beyond their assistance, government agencies can step it up by turning to minority-owned business for service contracts.

"County, state, local governments, and all the things that they purchase. Money talks, [and these agencies need to do] direct purchasing from these businesses," she said.

According to the Small Business Administration, 99% of U.S. companies are small businesses - defined as those with 500 employees or fewer. Baumann said that's an important statistic to remember when looking at ways to create a more level playing field within the nation's economy. The BOSS program is funded by a grant from J.P. Morgan Chase.