WASHINGTON -- Brick-and-mortar retailers like Wal-Mart Stores see an opportunity to claim victory in a lobbying duel against online companies that don't collect sales tax from their customers.
Retailers are urging U.S. senators to take a nonbinding vote this week to demonstrate support for allowing states to impose sales taxes on out-of-state online sellers. Opponents including EBay have prevented House or Senate action so far in a decade-long dispute."If this gets 60 votes in the Senate, it's a pretty impressive sign," said Jason Brewer, vice president for communications and advocacy at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, a group based in Arlington, Va., that represents companies such as Target Corp. and Dollar General Corp. "Just take a look at the political landscape. How many issues are attracting bipartisan support these days?"The lobbying has been particularly intense among Republicans, who face competing pressures. Many of their home-state governments and local retailers support the bill, as does Amazon.com, the world's largest online retailer, which is expanding in many states. After initially fighting Texas and closing an Irving facility, Amazon agreed in April to open three fulfillment centers in the state, including one in Haslet, creating a total of 2,500 jobs in the state while investing $200 million over four years to settle a $269 million sales tax bill the company owed the state.Anti-tax groups including Americans for Tax Reform oppose the nonbinding vote, saying the levy would constitute a new type of taxation and let states reach across their borders.Gathering 60 votes for an Internet sales tax is important for proponents since that's the number needed for legislation to overcome procedural obstacles.Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who hadn't previously backed the measure, said fellow Republicans had made a "strong case" to him to support it. "I think the time may be here for that fix," he said.This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
