New Members
Dear Colleagues-
This week the Massachusetts Legislative Caucus is conducting the 2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables. These meetings will offer businesses and Chambers of Commerce the opportunity to meet with Republicans from the House and Senate across the Commonwealth to discuss the ill-effects of the Democratic-endorsed/approved tech tax. The opposition to this tax transcends party lines, and represents a broad demographic. Our voices will be heard, and our efforts will be relentless. I kindly ask that you join me in working to ensure that this reckless tax on the computer services industry not be allowed to stand.
The input from business leaders at this time is critical to this initiative. On August 28th I will be hosting a Technology Tax Business Roundtable at the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce offices in Devens Massachusetts. This is being made possible through the gracious assistance of Melissa Fetterhoff and her designated staff. I am once again grateful for the leadership provided by Melissa Fetterhoff and her team. The roundtable will be held in their office at 9:00 AM this Wednesday morning. I apologize for the short notice but it is the hope of the Republican Caucus that we can act swiftly upon our return to session to repeal this
While it is the intent of the Republican Caucus to file legislation in the coming weeks to repeal the technology tax, we find it vitally important to engage the businesses and Chambers of Commerce who are directly impacted by this crippling tax. Although there is no set agenda for the discussions this week, it is important that these roundtables give businesses the opportunity to provide us as legislators with ideas as to how we can help the technology industry grow and thrive in Massachusetts. By letting the invited guests steer the conversation, we will gain a better understanding of the true negative impact that this tax is having, as well as ways in which we can help the industry going forward.
To get the discussions started here are some questions which will help focus the conversation:
· How has this tax affected your business?
· How do you anticipate that this tax will affect your business going forward?
· Of course, our overall goal is repeal this tax, but short of repealing it, what changes could be made to improve the climate for the technology industry in light of this tax?
· Beyond the tax, what could the Massachusetts Legislature do to encourage the growth and development of the technology industry in our state?
In preparation of the weeklong series of meetings, the staff in the Republican Leadership Office has gone ahead and prepared a series of documents and analysis (attached) which you might find helpful.
Please let me know if you can attend by sending your reply to my personal email address: attyharrington@aol.com. Should you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely
Sheila C. Harrington
State Representative Sheila C. Harrington
District Office- 214 Main Street
Groton MA 01450
Mobile- 978-857-8195
P.S. For your convenience, I have attached two useful links with further information at the Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of State’s Office.
Technology Tax Business Roundtables
Date and Time
Wednesday Aug 28, 2013
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM EDT
