[STORE LETTERHEAD]
The Honorable Jodi Rell
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

[DATE]

Dear Governor Rell:

As a Connecticut-based retail business, I am writing to express my profound disappointment that the e-fairness provision was left out of the state budget and that the state of Connecticut continues to subsidize online, remote retailers that clearly have nexus in the state. The e-fairness provision would have made clear that those retailers must follow existing state law and collect and remit sales tax.

Every year, Connecticut is losing millions of dollars in sales tax revenue to online retailers, many of which should be obeying existing state law to collect sales tax. It's estimated that by fairly enforcing the tax law Connecticut would recoup approximately $42 million in lost revenue. By refusing to obey the law, companies like Amazon.com are siphoning away critical revenue that should be going to essential local services such as policing and fire fighting.

In addition, the resulting inequity among retailers puts law-abiding Connecticut businesses at a distinct competitive disadvantage. With a "discount" of almost six percent, these out-of-state online giants have an enormous competitive advantage over in-state retailers selling the same goods. These in-state businesses employ thousands of residents and collect millions of dollars in sales tax.

It is not the business of state government to play favorites when it comes to enforcing tax law. The legislative budget establishes a badly needed clarification of state tax law, levels the playing field for in-state retailers, and strengthens our local communities. That is sound policy all the way around, and I am deeply disappointed you did not support it.

In the future, if you are presented with a legislative budget that clarifies existing state law and makes clear the responsibilities of all retailers to collect sales tax, for the good of in-state businesses, and all of the people of the State of Connecticut, we sincerely hope that you come down on the side of equity and support e-fairness.

Sincerely,

[NAME]
[STORE NAME]
[CITY STATE ZIP]
[PHONE NUMBER]
[EMAIL ADDRESS]

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