JA Political Action Committee Meets Capitol Hill Leaders
June 23, 15
(IDEX Online News) – The Jewelers of America Political Action Committee (JAPAC met with Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), among others, during its fifth fly-in to Washington DC. Chaffetz introduced the Remote Transactions Parity Act (RTPA) on June 15.
“Traditional jewelers are losing sales to online competitors because we are required to collect sales tax on purchases made in our stores. We want to be able to compete with these sellers on a level playing field,” said JAPAC board chair Jenny Caro, owner of Jewelry by Design in Woodbridge, Virginia. “We applaud Congressman Chaffetz for introducing legislation which will enable us to do so.”
In addition to Chaffetz, the group met with other prominent Members of Congress, including fellow RTPA sponsor Rep. Steve Stivers (OH), George Holding (NC), a member of the House Judiciary Committee and several Republican Senators.
“We need to make sure we’re giving you a fighting chance,” Rep. Stivers, told the group. “This is about making sure the stores in our communities have a level playing field with the stores that aren’t in our communities.”
The message of sales tax fairness was reiterated by Jewelers of America’s president and CEO, David J. Bonaparte. “We have momentum and we have key champions in the House and Senate who want to get this passed and they need our industry to stand behind them.” “We’re working hard to mobilize Jewelers of America members – and the industry at large – by targeting key lawmakers to support, sponsor and ultimately pass sales tax fairness.”