Congresswoman Suzan DelBene will be visiting local retailers in Kirkland today to discuss the need for legislation to close an internet tax loophole and allow Main Street retailers to compete on a level playing field with out-of-state businesses.

Last week, in a bipartisan vote, the U.S. Senate approved an amendment to the Senate budget to allow states to require out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes. Rep. DelBene is an original co-sponsor of legislation in the House, called the Marketplace Fairness Act. The legislation is currently in the Judiciary Committee, of which DelBene is a member.

By enacting the Marketplace Fairness Act this year, Congress would provide a pathway for Washington state and localities to collect an estimated $284 million in the 2013-15 biennium and an estimated $845 million in the 2015-17 biennium, according to the state Department of Revenue. These dollars could help close looming budget deficits that Washington state and many local governments face over the next few years.

DelBene, during her tenure as Director of Washington state’s Department of Revenue, worked to close the internet tax loophole and saw firsthand the negative impact this loophole caused Washington businesses and local governments struggling to fund critical public services such as local police and fire.

Thursday, March 28

WHAT: Tour of downtown Kirkland businesses to discuss need for Marketplace Fairness Act

WHEN: 10:00am

WHERE: The Grape Choice
9 Lakeshore Plaza
Kirkland, WA

WHO: Rep. DelBene, local downtown business owners, representatives from the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, Washington Retail Association and REI