Juvenile product trade groups unite to endorse Mainstreet Fairness Act

Kids Today Staff -- Kids Today, 8/12/2010 10:01:20 AM

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Prominent juvenile product retail organizations affiliated with BabyProductExperts.com are banding together in support of the Mainstreet Fairness Initiative and U.S. House Bill H.R.5660, the Main Street Fairness Act, which was referred to the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary on July 1, 2010.

In 1992, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress was responsible for taking appropriate action and establishing reasonable guidance to enable the collection of sales taxes from remote retailers such as Internet-only sellers. Twenty-four states have enacted their own forms of this legislation. However, Congress has yet to pass such a bill, although several have been proposed over the years.

Roger O'Callaghan, president of Baby News Childrens Stores, urges both consumers and local business owners to educate themselves on this issue and voice their support by writing their representatives in the U.S. Congress. "It is time that the local stores who pay taxes and employ local people do not have the disadvantage of certain companies outside the state not paying sales tax and supporting local communities," he said.

"HR 5660 will allow brick and mortar stores like ours to compete fairly with out-of-state online businesses," added Barry Gevertz, president of NINFRA. "It is the right thing for our economy, the fair thing for our businesses, and the smart thing for our future."

Beth Jarabek, executive director at Baby Furniture Plus Association, said, "Our members are local business men and women who create jobs, bring tax dollars into the community and share in neighborhood spirit. Leveling the playing field not only ensures our communities will continue to thrive, but our state and federal government and services will benefit tremendously. With over $150 billion dollars spent online each year and very little of it taxed, we need a solution to this issue. It is unacceptable for retailers who support our communities to have to compete with internet retailers who don't have to charge sales tax to customers. The time is now for Main Street Fairness."

House Bill H.R. 5660 is sponsored by Rep. William Delahunt (D-MA). Co-sponsors include Democratic Reps. Michael Capuano (MA), John Conyers (MI), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Adam Smith (WA) and Peter Welch (VT).

The Mainstreet Fairness Initiative is a grassroots effort by small business owners, retailers, state legislators, local community leaders, associations and concerned citizens to help level the playing field for Main Street businesses protect the jobs of teachers and first responders and help reduce state economic shortfalls.

Information and links regarding this key legislation can be found at MainStreetFairness.org. An electronic form letter that can be personalized and sent directly to Congress is also available on this site.