November 1

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A National Sales Tax Holiday

November 1, 2001

In response to the sharpest drop in retail sales in 10 years and a sagging economy, Congress is currently considering legislation to provide an immediate stimulus to the economy and help restore consumer confidence.

As part of this effort, Retail Alliance, the Virginia Retail Merchants Association and the National Retail Federation strongly support legislation recently introduced by Representatives Lindsey Graham (R) and Rod Blagojevich (D) entitled “The Sales Tax Holiday of 2001” (HR 3172). This legislation would create a temporary Sales Tax Holiday on all tangible personal property, excluding alcohol and tobacco. A similar proposal offered by Senators Patty Murray (D) and Olympia Snowe (R) is under consideration in the Senate. Currently, eight states have temporary Sales Tax Holidays that have been extremely successful in generating large crowds, increased sales and new purchases that otherwise would not have been made.

The parameters of Graham’s proposal include:

• States and localities that collect a sales tax would temporarily stop collecting this tax on all tangible personal property for 10 days, from November 23 – December 2, 2001.
• Congress would reimburse states and localities for lost sales tax revenue during this period.
• States would not be forced to provide this tax relief; it is entirely up to each individual state legislature and Governor if they wish to participate.

PLEASE CALL YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS TO SUPPORT THIS BILL
Through November 16, the National Retail Federation is offering a toll-free Congressional Contact Hotline from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST daily.

Step One: Dial 1 (800) 294-7801 (You must call from a touchtone phone). You will hear a welcome message.

Step Two: Enter your five digit postal zip code.

Step Three: Select which Congressional office you would like to be connected to by pressing 1, 2 or 3.

Step Four: Deliver your message. Example: I urge Senator/Representative_____________________to support a nationwide Sales Tax Holiday to stimulate the economy.

Step Five: Hang up and dial in again to be connected to another Congressional office.

Please contact Marsha Dionne at (202) 626-8152 if you have any questions or are having difficulties dialing in.

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