Kay Ivey
Economic policy
### Economic policy

On April 6, 2018, Ivey signed a bill exempting economic development professionals from registering as lobbyists under the Alabama ethics law. The bill was sponsored by [Ken Johnson](/wiki/Ken_Johnson_%28Alabama_politician%29 "Ken Johnson (Alabama politician)") and would have died if not signed by Ivey over the weekend. Ivey said the legislation would allow the state "to remain on a level playing field with other states, as we compete for job creating capital investments" and Alabama's ability to attract highly sought\-after economic development projects would allow the state to continue experiencing "record\-low unemployment". On April 9, Ivey signed a bill extending the reach of the Simplified Sellers Use Tax to capture purchases from third\-party vendors selling products through Amazon and other online marketplaces. In a press release, Ivey said the legislation would "help bring about a competitive balance between brick\-and\-mortar retailers in Alabama and third\-party online sellers, while streamlining the collection of use taxes that are currently due on online transactions." In a June letter to [United States Secretary of Commerce](/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_Commerce "United States Secretary of Commerce") [Wilbur Ross](/wiki/Wilbur_Ross "Wilbur Ross"), Ivey wrote that she opposed "any efforts that may harm those companies that employ thousands of Alabamians and contribute billions to our economy" and advocated for Ross to "not recommend to President Trump the levying of trade tariffs on automobiles and automotive parts." In August, Ivey named Kelly Butler as Alabama acting finance director, saying that Butler would serve until the completion of a search for a permanent director and would "do an excellent job leading the Alabama Department of Finance during this interim period."


What is the impact of the Simplified Sellers Use Tax on brick-and-mortar retailers and third-party online sellers?