New Bill To Hike Tax Deductibility of Business Meals

A bill was introduced to the House of Representatives recently that proposes to increase the percentage of a business related meal that can be deducted from 50% to 80%.  The bill, sponsored by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), has twice been introduced in past sessions of Congress and has twice failed to become law. Opponents say the bill will reduce tax revenue for the federal government in a time when deficits are running extremely...

Will Congress Pay For Healthcare Reform With A Fat Tax?

As Congress grapples with the costs of tackling health care reform, a couple ideas have floated to the surface to help fund the effort.  As I mentioned recently, a national tax on soft drinks was the subject of a national feasibility study and it was determined that such a tax could raise a significant amount of revenue while combating...

“Zion Curtains” Come Down In Utah

The liquor laws in Utah have always been bizarre.  From requiring membership in “private clubs” to drink local microbrews to no Sunday beer and liquor sales to limiting beer to 3.2% alcohol content, the requirements placed on restaurants, bars, and liquor stores have always been more stringent than in other states.  But the barriers state senator Michael Waddoups asked state liquor commissioners to require in restaurant...

Obama Fried Chicken Stand To Change Name

Politically incorrect? Or just an immigrant's attempt to honor the President? A fried chicken stand in Brooklyn, NY changed its name recently from Royal Fried Chicken to Obama Fried Chicken in honor of the United States’ 44th President.  The stand’s owner, who remained anonymous but was represented by employee Mohammed Jabbar, thought the renaming would celebrate President Obama’s election and create goodwill in the...

New Legislation to Improve Food Safety

Peanut butter tainted with salmonella sickened hundreds of people and caused 9 deaths in recent months, adding yet another outbreak to the already poor track record of the U.S. food supply. Everyone remembers other tainted food scares: tomatoes, spinach, and even canned chili were all recalled within the last year because of food safety problems. “These are not isolated incidents and are the result of an outdated, underfunded,...

Card Check Unionization Bill Stirs Up Controversy

The list of opponents to the Employee Fair Choice Act (EFCA) is a long who’s who of business in the United States, including the Chamber of Commerce, nationally known corporations like Home Depot and Walmart, and most notably for those in the food service...

The Obama Room Angers Restaurant’s Patrons

The Anaheim White House, a fine dining restaurant in Anaheim, CA, drew an unexpected amount of criticism recently after renaming one of 12 presidential-themed private dining rooms the Obama Room. Irate customers asked to be removed from the restaurant’s email list...