Over 1,000 Small Businesses Call On Chairman Goodlatte To Move E-Fairness Legislation This Year

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Small business owners from all across the country lent their voice today in a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte in advance of Wednesday's scheduled hearing on e-Fairness asking him to move legislation this year. The letter calls on Chairman Goodlatte and the House Judiciary Committee to eliminate government policy that picks winners and losers in the retail marketplace.

The letter signed by 1,064 small businesses with many from Chairman Goodlatte's district states, "As small-business owners, we embrace competition and the challenge of attracting customers in the digital age, but we ask that Congress end the tax advantage currently afforded our online competitors. Let us compete on true price, service, and selection without government's thumb on the scale. It's time to update our sales tax laws to reflect the economic and technological realities of the 21st Century."

The U.S. Senate acted last year on a bi-partisan vote and passed the Marketplace Fairness Act, e-fairness legislation that promotes states' rights and closes the online sales tax loophole. After raising concerns over the legislation, Chairman Goodlatte released a set of legislative principles that were welcomed by the small business community. However, with another holiday shopping season behind them, small businesses believe the time to act is now.

The letter continued, "Passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate in early 2013, the Marketplace Fairness Act marked a significant step toward ensuring all businesses—online or offline, large or small—played by the same set of rules. While we understand your desire to pursue alternative ideas, we hope that the House of Representatives and your committee will move quickly and judiciously in 2014 to level the retail playing field. True free market competition will not only support America's local businesses, but will strengthen our economy and provide lower taxes for everyone."

Last year, Ronald Reagan's economic advisor, Dr. Art Laffer, issued a study – "Pro-Growth Tax Reform and E-Fairness"—that made the argument that federal legislation that gives states the ability to deal with these fiscal matters within their states would be a boon to the national economy and create over 1.5 million jobs over 10 years. The study argues that states would use the revenues from e-Fairness to cut other taxes, a model signed into law by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Utah Governor Gary Herbert.

A copy of the letter can be accessed here.

Important Facts

• 1,064 small businesses signed the letter to Chairman Goodlatte, including many from his district.
• 49 states plus the District of Columbia are represented on the letter.
• The letter was issued in partnership with the Marketplace Fairness Coalition.
• The Alliance for Main Street Fairness is a small business advocacy organization advocating for legislation that closes the online sales tax loophole. 
• The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to host an e-Fairness hearing on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 10 am

SOURCE Alliance for Main Street Fairness

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