Make all retailers pay fair share
I think my 10-year-old daughter hadn’t yet been born the last time I agreed with an editorial on the left side of the paper, but it happened with “No free ride for Amazon” (Feb. 24).
Having already shown my political cards, I’m still disappointed the way Gov. Haslam and other public officials are playing dodge ball with the sales tax issue regarding Amazon. The simple truth is online retailers no longer have valid reasons for not collecting sales taxes.
Instead of mealymouthing, Haslam and other Republican governors have a terrific opportunity to show independent thinkers they really stand for fairness and won’t kowtow to the interests of big business (those criticisms can be leveled at both parties, of course, but Democrats have done a better job hanging them on Republicans). If they band together, Amazon and other online retailers will be forced to give in, as they should.
Particularly in a state that is heavily reliant on sales tax revenue – and I pray that doesn’t change – Tennessee should require all retailers to pay their fair share.