HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2000-046
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2000-046
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING ADELA Y OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON
INTERNET TAX MORATORIUM
WHEREAS, out-of-state remote sellers who conduct sales via the Internet, mail
order, and phone are not required by law to collect existing sales and use taxes imposed
by state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, the primary barrier to collecting taxes on remote sales is the
Supreme court's ruling in Quill V. North Dakota which defers to Congress to authorize
states to require remote sellers to collect taxes in a manner that does not unduly burden
Interstate commerce; and
WHEREAS, state and local governments are working together to implement a
streamlined sales tax system that would simplify definitions, tax rates and tax bases and
use 21 st Century technology in the collection process; and
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WHEREAS, current laws create a competitive disadvantage and great inequities
between merchants who sell from traditional "brick- and -mortar" establishments and
those who sell from electronic stores; and
WHEREAS, increasing sales on the Internet, and the resulting erosion of sales
and use tax revenues, will limit the ability of states and governments and school districts
to finance essential public services such as police, fire, emergency medical service,
education, social services, infrastructure development, and healthcare; and
WHEREAS, a recent University of Tennessee study estimates that state sales tax
revenue losses in 2003 will exceed $10 billion; and
WHEREAS, the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce failed to reach
a legally required consensus on fair and equitable treatment of both remote sellers and
"Main Street" retailers and also proposed that Congress preempt state and local
sovereignty guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
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Section 1. That the City Council supports simplification of state and local sales taxes,
and urges states to move expeditiously to develop and approve model simplification
legislation;
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2000-046
Section 2. Congress should not extend or expand the current moratorium until its
expiration in October 2001;
Section 3. If state and local governments choose to negotiate a brief extension of the
existing moratorium as part of a broader bill, such an extension:
· Should only be effective for a short period of time (no more than two
years); and
· Must be linked to states' successfully implementing sales tax
simplification, which would trigger Congressional authorization of
expanded duty to collect use taxes on remote sales.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska,
this 8 day of May, 2000.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
b-,. I ?L:O, I
Edgar Blatchford, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Brossow, Calhoon, Clark, King, Orr, Shafer, Blatchford
None
Nonl:
None
ATTEST:
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Patrick Reilly --r
City Clerk
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