Advocacy

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression expressed thanks today to the artists, illustrators, publishers, and booksellers who contributed to the success of its just completed Holiday Children’s Art Auction.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has joined the chorus of retailers and others that believe Amazon.com should be required to collect and remit sales tax for purchases made by residents of the state.

The International Council of Shopping Centers has released the results of a national poll that found a majority of Americans support the Congressional effort to require online retailers to collect sales tax at the point-of-purchase.

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression’s  online auction of original children’s art by 50 of the book industry’s leading artists and illustrators ends at noon on Tuesday, December 4.

A preview of children’s art that the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression will  auction on eBay from November 27 - December 3 can now be seen on Flickr.

A study released this week by the Massachusetts Main Street Fairness Coalition shows that sales tax inequity has cost Massachusetts 1,970 new jobs, $279 million in sales to local businesses, and $387 million in state tax revenue.

A U.S. District Court judge has granted preliminary approval to a proposed class-action settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over rapidly rising Visa and MasterCard credit card swipe fees despite opposition from 10 of the 19 named plaintiffs.

On November 1, 20 retailers and trade groups, including the American Booksellers Association, the National Association of College Stores, and the National Retail Federation, asked a judge to reject a proposed class-action settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over skyrocketing Visa and MasterCard credit card swipe fees.

Hurricane Sandy has driven the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression from its office building in lower Manhattan, but ABFFE is continuing its preparations for a Holiday Children’s Art Auction to launch on eBay on November 27.

On October 26, in its SEC quarterly filing, Amazon.com announced that, as part of a settlement with the state of Arizona, on February 1, 2013, the company would begin collecting and remitting transaction privilege tax (TPT, Arizona’s sales tax) to Arizona on in-state purchases.