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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 21, 2013 04:12 PM |
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| From: | Representative Justin J. Simmons |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Marketplace Fairness Resolution |
| Fellow Members, I ask you to join me as a co-sponsor of a resolution calling on Congress to enact legislation that is critical to our communities’ Main Street retailers. Thanks to a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, many out-of-state retailers are able to avoid paying sales tax on purchases that are otherwise taxable. This creates an unfair playing field for our brick-and-mortar businesses in our communities, who are placed at a significant price disadvantage compared to their out-of-state online competitors. Congress is currently considering legislation to close this loophole even out this unfair playing field. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 would create a nationwide standard for the collection of sales taxes on purchases from out-of-state retailers who are currently able to escape paying the sales tax. All businesses should compete based on their products, service, and price, not on a court-created tax loophole. As an added benefit, this improved collection process could generate funds that can be used for tax relief for all Pennsylvanians. A 2013 study by economists Arthur B. Laffer and Donna Arduin projects that over the next 10 years, the enactment of the Marketplace Fairness Act could empower states to implement pro-growth tax policies that would result in a nationwide increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $563.2 billion and add over 1.5 million new jobs. Of that national total, $15.1 billion in GDP growth and 43,000 new jobs would occur in Pennsylvania. A number of states, including our own Commonwealth, have already taken some steps to even out this playing field, but Congressional action is needed to create a nation-wide system. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 has passed the Senate and is being considered by the House Judiciary Committee. This resolution would allow Pennsylvania House of Representatives to voice its support of the federal legislation. If you have any questions, please contact Lori Nissly in my Harrisburg office by calling: 717-783-1673 or email: lnissly@pahousegop.com |
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Introduced as HR571