Business Group Urges GOP to Reconsider Marketplace Fairness Act

The Alliance for Main Street Fairness has released a new video showcasing testimonials from national conservative organizations making the case for the need to pass e-fairness legislation this year. Featured in the video are various conservative thought leaders that have been advocates for policy that closes loopholes, lowers taxes, and restores states’ rights – the core principles of e-fairness.

With the election over and conservatives eager to restore power to the states to allow reduction in taxes and end corny capitalism that’s been the signature of the Obama administration, Speaker Boehner should immediately move e-fairness legislation like the Marketplace Fairness Act before the end of the year.

“We need to return to a system where people have a fair shake, where they can compete fairly, and based on the merits; and not have a system that is gamed towards certain industries. Congress needs to stop picking winners and losers,” said American Conservative Union Executive Director Dan Schneider.

Last year, conservative economist Dr. Art Laffer released a study, Pro-Growth Tax Reform & E-Fairness, which outlined the numerous benefits that passage of federal e-fairness legislation could yield by giving states the authority to control their own fiscal matters. Most notably, the study outlined that e-fairness would give states the ability to reduce other burdensome taxes that harm the economy like income taxes.

Led by several conservative governors, states have acted on this model to reduce state income taxes with e-fairness. This is the law in Wisconsin, Utah, Idaho and Ohio, Speaker John Boehner’s home state. Governors Scott Walker, Gary Herbert, Butch Otter and John Kasich have led the way with these pro-growth reforms. Tea Party leaders in Texas are also working to reduce the state’s Margins Tax by as much as 60 percent with passage of e-fairness when their legislative session convenes in January.

“A number of states have indicated that they are willing to cut things like income tax in that state if this act passes and I think that’s a good thing,” said Nathan Mehrens, President of Americans for Limited Government.

Conservatives also recognize that without Congress acting on e-fairness this year, Congress is essentially codifying policy that hurts local small businesses while favoring online retailers with this special tax treatment. E-fairness legislation does not create a new tax nor does it increase taxes on anyone.

“I’ve always been opposed to tax increases. And again, I say to my fellow conservatives, it’s not a tax increase in my mind. It’s a matter of tax equality,” said Jim Martin, Chairman of the 60 Plus Association.

“Conservatives believe in a free market, low taxes and fair competition,” said Joshua Baca, spokesperson for the Alliance for Main Street Fairness. “That’s why it’s important for Speaker Boehner to reconsider his comments from last week that e-fairness won’t move through Congress this year. Small businesses have waited long enough for action on their number one priority. Conservative leaders, Republican governors, Tea Party activists and small businesses are presenting a compelling case for the Speaker that the time for action is now.”

The video can be viewed online here.