As we begin a new year, the fight against the Marketplace Fairness Act wages on.  Proponents of the bill continue to laud the Marketplace Fairness Act as a necessary bill to “level the playing field.”  However, thousands of web-enabled small businesses across the nation know that this legislation would actually impose unfair costs and burdens on their business and employees, making for a very uncertain future.

Two such small business owners are Lucas Robinson from Panama City, FL, and Dan Keane from Gap, PA. During the last few weeks both have successfully published Letters to the Editor in their local newspapers explaining how the Marketplace Fairness Act would deeply hurt their small business and negatively impact their communities. 

Lucas Robinson’s article, published in the Tallahassee Democrat, calls for his state and federal representatives to truly examine the impact that this bill would have on small businesses across the country.  Lucas explains that this bill would not “streamline tax laws” as proponents have claimed, but instead would level undue burdens on him and his business.  Lucas also discredits the myth that this bill would level the playing field for brick-and-mortar businesses saying “Similar to any “mom and pop” storefront, I am responsible for collecting sales taxes from my Florida customers. This is fair, because it’s where I run my business, hire employees and contribute to the local economy. Yet, legislation would force small-business owners to comply with the rules and rates of thousands of tax jurisdictions around the country.”

Dan Keane’s editorial published at Lancasteronline.com, argues that the Marketplace Fairness Act is outdated.  He makes the point that Pennsylvania already collects tax from the major big-box retailers, and this bill would only serve to hurt the Main Street “mom and pop” stores that use the Internet.  Dan also points out the tremendous job creation that small businesses offer, saying “A local Internet retailer is expanding in Gap, providing 300 construction jobs and 500 employees. A Lititz-based retailer is expanding operations and will employ 380 people.” Aside from the multitude of issues, burdens, and costs, associated with the Marketplace Fairness Act, it would restrict growth of small business and therefore cost communities jobs. 

Small business owners like Lucas and Dan continue to demonstrate to Local and Federal officials the important role that small business plays in their communities.  Join Lucas and Dan in their efforts of educating legislators on the true impacts this bill would have on small businesses across the nation!