Amazon.com warehouse in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)CLEVELAND, Tenn. - State Rep. Eric Watson said today that attempts by some state legislators to override agreements with Amazon.com are "a very silly tactic. It's childish."
Watson spoke to the Bradley County Commission during a work session.
County commissioners agreed, and they plan to vote next Monday on a resolution calling on the state to meet commitments already made to Amazon.com.
Some state legislators want Amazon.com, which is building distribution centers in Hamilton and Bradley counties, to pay state sales taxes.
But the proposed resolution by Commissioner J. Adam Lowe says the Tennessee Department of Revenue already has ruled Amazon.com centers do not constitute a physical retail presence, essentially being distribution centers.
Lowe was joined by fellow commissioners who commented that the state still could lose the company.
"I talked to Amazon officials over the weekend. And they are asking, 'Why would Amazon want to come to a state that won't keep its commitments?'" Watson said.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.