Advocacy

A Virginia state senator has introduced legislation aimed at closing the state’s sales tax loophole. Meanwhile, Amazon.com is seeking a sales tax exemption in Florida that would be similar to the ones granted by Tennessee and South Carolina in 2011.

Tuesday, January 17, is the deadline for responses to an important post-holiday survey, which seeks to gauge how independent businesses are faring in today’s economy and to assess whether people are more aware and supportive of locally owned, independent businesses.

ABA is urging members to participate in an important post-holiday survey of independent businesses. Last year’s survey provided unique and important data about the viability of independent businesses and the effectiveness of “Buy Local First” initiatives and garnered attention from more than 200 media outlets.

George Fox Rishel, the proprietor of The Sly Fox in Virden, Illinois, recently shared his thoughts on the future of bricks-and-mortar bookstores in a letter to ABA CEO Oren Teicher. Published here, with permission, is his letter and ABA’s response.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) have introduced a proposal that they say would strengthen Medicare and, in the process, expand health care choices for seniors, individuals under 65, and small businesses.

In response to Amazon’s price app promo, Betsy Burton of The King’s English penned a Letter to the Editor of the Salt Lake Tribune. She’s encouraging other booksellers to do the same in order to capitalize on the recent media attention to focus on why indies matter.

Participants in Wi7 in New Orleans will have an opportunity to support the free speech rights of children and young readers by bidding on a dozen original pieces of children’s art by some of the book industry’s top artists and illustrators.

A December 1 Pennsylvania Department of Revenue regulatory bulletin makes it clear that under existing sales tax laws remote sellers with nexus in the state through warehouses or online affiliates are required to collect and remit sales tax for purchases made in state.

ABA CEO Oren Teicher has written an open letter to Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos that highlights the glaring discrepancy between the company’s recent statements in support of sales tax fairness and Amazon’s latest exploitation of an inequitable strategic advantage.

The International Council of Shopping Centers has placed full-page ads in support of sales tax equity in a number of publications, including the New York Times. In addition, the organization has launched a sales tax fairness video series, with the first featuring Betsy Burton of The King’s English Bookshop.

On Wednesday, November 30, the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing to discuss the authority of states to collect sales tax on online purchases.

At press time, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue issued a regulatory bulletin stipulating that, under current sales tax law, remote retailers that have warehouse facilities or online affiliates in Pennsylvania have nexus in the state.

California booksellers could face civil fines of up to $500 if they improperly disclose customer information under a state law on reader privacy that goes into effect on January 1. 

Cynthia Compton of 4 Kids Books & Toys in Zionsville, Indiana, was one of about 40 retailers taking part in a November 16 sales tax advocacy day in Washington, D.C., organized by the Alliance for Main Street Fairness.

The New York Library Association has presented its SirsiDynix Intellectual Freedom Award for 2011 to the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.