Booksellers Urged to Contact State Legislators on E-Fairness

The American Booksellers Association is encouraging booksellers in 44 states that collect sales tax to write to their state legislators to urge them to follow New York's lead and introduce legislation to clarify their state's existing tax laws. In a significant victory for independent retailers, this month a New York judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Amazon.com challenging the state's Internet Sales Tax law, which requires online retailers with nexus in the state to collect and remit sales tax on sales made in New York. A similar lawsuit brought by Overstock was also dismissed.

To help booksellers in this crucial endeavor, ABA has prepared a template letter [1] that can be adapted and sent to state legislators and governors. ABA is asking booksellers to notify ABA Public Policy Liaison David Grogan at dave@bookweb.org [2] when they have sent the letter. This will help ABA compile information to support its sales tax lobbying efforts.

In addition, ABA is encouraging bookseller members with any connection to a state legislator who might be sympathetic to the association's efforts to arrange a meeting with him or her regarding e-fairness. ABA will provide members with the necessary briefing, materials, and information -- and, in some cases, might be able to participate in the meeting with you.

Booksellers who have a legislator in mind, or would like to discuss this issue further, should contact Grogan at (800) 637-0037, ext. 6662, or at dave@bookweb.org [2]. He can also help walk booksellers through the process of setting up a legislative meeting and can answer any questions about ABA's Campaign for E-Fairness.