Posted on 08/29/2011 12:36:49 AM PDT by LibWhacker
When it comes to avoiding the requirement of collecting sales tax from its consumers, Amazon is not afraid to open its wallet.
More than nine months before a proposed June 2012 referendum asking that Californias new Internet sales tax law be overturned, Amazon, the Seattle-based online retailer, has already spent $5.25 million, state records show, more than any company has spent in California this far from a vote in at least a decade.
The initiative and referendum process have been hijacked, said Loni Hancock, a state senator from Berkeley, who wrote the law Amazon is trying to overturn and who is now pushing legislation that could block Amazons referendum effort.
Even by Californias expensive campaign standards, the companys early contributions are causing observers to take note.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Where is it written that the State of Kalifornia gets a piece of every transaction??!?
Amazon does not consume state resources.
This from Loni Hancock’s (D-Oakland) site. She is one of the architects of the tax increase bill:
RESPONSE TO AMAZION-INSPIRED TAX EVASION REFERENDUM
Monday, July 11, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Larry Levin (916)651-4009
Senator Lon Hancock (D-Oakland), the author of one of the three new state laws requiring out-of-state internet companies — like Amazon.com and Overstock.com — to comply with state sales tax law, issued the following statement today:
It is unfortunate that Amazon a multi-billion dollar corporation continues to argue for a tax loophole that gave them a unfair advantage against Californias small business owners. All we are asking is that they collect and remit their fair share of taxes, like everyone else.
We intend to join with California businesses large and small to fight this Tax Evasion Referendum tooth-and-nail.
Hancock pointed out that the legislation received overwhelming support from the California business community. We were finally able to create a level playing field for California companies. All in-state businesses already collect and remit taxes, so those that did not — like Amazon, Overstock and others — had an unfair advantage
It now appears that Amazon wants to reclaim that unfair advantage, Hancock added.
The three bills that were signed into law include:
—Senator Hancock’s SB 234, which insures that the state tax board (Board of Equalization) has the authority to enforce collection of state sales tax by out-of-state retailers.
—Assemblymember Calderon’s AB 155, which specifies that retailers have a business “nexus” or connection with the state if any member of their corporate family is located in the state.
—Assemblymember Skinner’s AB 153, which obligates Amazon and others that use in-state affiliates to promote their sales to collect state sales tax immediately.
End
a tax loophole that gave them an unfair advantage against Californias small business owners.
Loni, if "fairness" is your main concern.. I have an idea. Lets make it fair for all. Cut the taxes of small businesses that so they pay no more taxes to the state of California than does Amazon.
{{{PUKE}}}
God bless ‘em. Americans have changed the way they want to shop, and the buggy whip salesmen are doing what they can to stand in the way.
"The initiative and referendum process have been hijacked," said Loni Hancock, a state senator from Berkeley, who wrote the law Amazon is trying to overturn and who is now pushing legislation that could block Amazon's referendum effort.By "hijacked", this mealy-mouthed bitch means that a group of people disproportionately affected by legislative malfeasance is defending their own interests. The bitch needs to familiarize her stupid ass with the First Amendment and Declaration of Independence.
She is a socialist. She doesn’t recognize the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the USA.
Are they collecting sales taxes and fees on international sales for foreign governments and cities?
Amazon is a reseller. Amazon takes products from small companies and inventors and exposes them to the buying public. Watch as small companies close and move out of state and business traffic dwindles to a halt in Kalifornicate. Watch the corresponding unemployment rise as a result. People are sick and tired of being taxed to death.
I just got an email ad from Cabelas, the way that they had it posed, it looked like there were quite a few bargains, I thought this might be good end of season opportunity to get a few things and I put about 6 or 8 things in the shopping cart, some shirts and jean jackets and insulated coveralls, all of which would have packed into a medium box that perhaps weighed 10 pounds. I started to check out and all of a sudden I notice that for my less than $200 order, I have over $50 in tax and shipping and handling........
I dont think so. DELETE.
Because Cabelas has a store in this state we would be taxed all over the state. Not I said the cat. So they just lost that sale. If more people would just notice what they are getting charged for and then cancel those orders, it would put the pinch on and wake some people up on the other end. I actually found some of what I was going to order in a local store for less money, no shipping and less tax. There. Solved that. See? We do get to vote.
What exactly has California done to EARN its vigorish??
Should read "Our ability to hijack other people's money has been hijacked".
Perry appointed friends and donors to the Teacher Retirement System Board who steered hundreds of millions of teacher dollars - and millions in fees - to firms run by Perry donors.
Thank you Amazon.
Don’t ask me where the first line of my previous post cme from. I haven’t a clue.
Crappy NYT article doesnt even spell out the CA law they are talking about.
The Dems in Maryland are moving in the same direction as CA after raising the sales tax and not collecting revenue from it.
Shame they can’t rely on their fellow citizens.
Money attracts taxes the same way that stink attracts flies.
I know that this is not legal, but that hasn't really slowed a state down yet. Look at what Chicago is doing, and what Rahm the dancer wants to do to all of Illinois.
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