FC: Groups spar before tax commission meeting in Dallas

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

Below are notes from the e-freedom coalition (no taxes), e-fairness (lots 
of them), and some industry trade associations (compromise).

-Declan

---

> Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 11:06:54 -0800 (PST)
> From: "Bartlett D. Cleland" <tekesq10 () yahoo com>
> Subject: Dallas
> To: declan () well com


The Institute for Policy Innovation

Introduces the

Center for Technology Freedom


And the release of the Center's first projects:

Should We Tax the Internet?
by Merrill Matthews, Jr., Ph.D.
and
Old Constitution @ New Economy
by Lawrence A. Hunter & George A. Pieler

At a Policy Luncheon
Monday, March 20, 2000
Fairmont Hotel
Dallas, TX

Hotel Site of the Advisory Commission
On Electronic Commerce Hearing


11:30 a.m.  1:00 p.m.

Complimentary Limited Seating
R.S.V.P. by March 17



RSVP by Fax: 
972/874-5144 
For More Information:
Email

---

    e-FAIRNESS COALITION CALLS ON ACEC MEMBERS TO BACK COMPROMISE PROPOSAL

     At least seven Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce (ACEC)
     members have announced their support of a compromise proposal put
     forth by the National Governors' Association. Hoping to influence at
     least six more commission members to create a supermajority backing of
     this proposal, the e-Fairness Coalition, which represents more than
     1.5 million retailers around the country, announced its support of
     this compromise agreement ensuring a level playing field for all
     retailers.

     WHAT:      Press conference

     WHO:       Members of the e-Fairness Coalition, including:

     David Bullington, Vice President, Taxes, Wal-Mart Lisa Cowell,
     Executive Director, e-Fairness Coalition Peter Lowy, President,
     Westfield America, Inc.
     Michael R. "Mickey" Moore, President, Texas Retailers Association Ron
     Parrish, Senior Vice President, Tandy/RadioShack

     WHEN:      MONDAY, MARCH 20
                10:00 a.m.

     WHERE:     Fairmont Hotel
                Executive Room

     CONTACT:   Michal Lawler, Edelman Public Relations, (202) 326-1740,
     michal_lawler () dc edelman com

---


> From: "Erick R. Gustafson" <EGustafson () CSE org>
> To: "'declan () well com'" <declan () well com>
> Subject: RE: Internet tax commission meeting in Dallas next Monday and Tue
>         sday
> Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 13:30:55 -0500
> CSE'S GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE ON INTERNET TAXES!
> Oregon members pressure commissioner to support extending tax moratorium
>
> Citizens for a Sound Economy has, once again, organized to change public
> policy and make a difference. CSE circulated a call to action to our Oregon
> membership and asked that they contact Commissioner Delna Jones of the
> Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce.  Commissioner Jones had not yet
> publicly committed to voting for an extension of the current tax moratorium.
> In a frenzy of e-mails, phone calls and faxes, Oregon CSE made a dramatic
> impact on an issue vital not only to Oregon, but to the entire nation.  In a
> phone call to Oregon CSE's director, Commissioner Jones has said she will
> support extending the moratorium on Internet taxes and she has also credited
> the pressure from CSE activists as a driving force in bringing her to that
> decision.
>
> The final meeting of the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce will
> take place next week, March 20-21, 2000, in Dallas, Texas.  There CSE's
> Texas chapter will swing into action and hold a grassroots rally where we
> will congratulate Commissioner Jones and other commissioners who vote to
> extend the Internet tax moratorium.
>
> We need our activists all across America to thank Commissioner Jones for her
> support to keep the Internet tax-free and ensure that she follows through on
> her commitment to vote for extending the moratorium on Internet taxes!

---

For further information, contact:
Steven Blinn or Beth Brody
BlinnPR
(212) 675-4777
steven () blinnpr com or beth () blinnpr com


For Immediate Release

An Open Letter To The Honorable James Gilmore, Chairman
Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce

Dear Governor Gilmore:

The Internet continues to be a major catalyst for the longest economic
expansion in the history of the United States.  Every day, more and more
commerce is conducted online, to the benefit of businesses, their employees
and consumers.  There is little doubt that one reason why the Internet has
flourished has been the moratorium on burdens affiliated with Internet
taxation.

As the Commission nears completion on recommendations to be made to Congress
regarding taxation on the Internet, the Association for Interactive Media
and the Direct Marketing Association, including the undersigned
companies, support the following positions:

*    Oppose taxes on Internet access
*    Reduce tax burdens on telecommunications carriers
*    Support the principles outlined in the Internet Tax
*    Freedom Act
*    Oppose additional taxes on Internet sales
*    Define remote sales tax collection based on the remote
*    sellers' physical presence
*    Advocate these positions at the international level
*    Establish nexus protections for business activity taxes

We hope you will carefully consider these policy positions as the Commission
completes its historic work.

Sincerely,
Association for Interactive Media
Direct Marketing Association
The Walt Disney Company
CDNOW
MicroWarehouse Inc.
The Alta Vista Company
Brandwise.com
Spree.com
Coldwater Creek
Ordertrust
Winebid.com
Feld Entertainment
Warrantybynet
Bridge Entertainment
Bishop Partners
Harari.org
United America Advertising
Intelitec

---


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
POLITECH -- the moderated mailing list of politics and technology
To subscribe, visit http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html
This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------