Despite persistent criticism from economists and tax policy experts, "sales tax holidays"—designated periods during which specific goods are exempted from state and local sales taxes—remain a staple of American fiscal policy. In 2026, the popularity of these tax-free windows reached a new peak: 20 states are conducting such holidays, an increase from 19 the previous…
Oregon’s implementation of its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, anchored by the 2021 Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (PPRMA), represents one of the most ambitious legislative attempts in the United States to transition toward a circular economy. By shifting the financial burden of waste management from local municipalities to the producers of packaging and…
By PYMNTS | July 6, 2026 The backbone of Europe’s financial architecture, the European Central Bank’s (ECB) T2 payment system, has found itself under intense scrutiny this week following two separate technical outages within the span of a single seven-day period. These disruptions, occurring on June 29 and again on July 6, have reignited concerns…
For many, retirement is envisioned as a golden era of leisure and liberation from the daily grind. However, the reality for a significant portion of the population is starkly different: the transition from an accumulation phase—where paychecks are steady—to a decumulation phase—where every withdrawal feels like a permanent reduction of one’s legacy—can trigger profound financial…
