In a year marked by the upcoming Presidential election, many are focused on potential changes in Washington and their impact on the business environment. A recent Supreme Court decision overruling Chevron has highlighted how national decisions can influence businesses of all sizes. Moving forward, courts rather than federal agencies will interpret ambiguous laws affecting commercial operations.
Despite the significance of national laws, regulations, and court decisions, experts advise not to overlook local events. Profits are often more directly impacted by ordinances passed at town halls than by federal actions.
"National politics tends to get all the headlines," said Cliff Ennico, an attorney specializing in business matters. "But the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of political decisions that affect businesses are local in nature."
Municipal ordinances can significantly influence various aspects of business operations including taxation, licensing, zoning laws, street and traffic patterns, parking regulations, building design and signage requirements, environmental and health regulations, as well as infrastructure developments like utility poles and cell phone towers.
Moreover, local governments are increasingly extending their influence into employee benefits and rights. "Local governments have been expanding their role into employee benefits and rights," noted Marc H. Pfeiffer, Assistant Director at the Bloustein Local Government Research Center. "In many cases, cities are establishing minimum wages."
Air Freight News
July 12, 2024
