2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables Announced

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester), along with the entire House and Senate Republican Caucus, today announced the launch of the 2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables.

Announced as part of a concerted effort by the Massachusetts House and Senate Republican Caucus to repeal the crippling technology tax at the legislative level, the weeklong series of roundtable discussions will include conversations with technology industry professionals and representatives from area Chambers of Commerce.

“The Massachusetts economy has long relied upon, and benefited from, the services rendered by the high-tech industry,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones. “Since the Democratic-led legislature approved the crippling technology tax, one of the Commonwealth’s most vital sectors is just beginning to deal with the adverse effects of the tax. The 2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables will serve as an opportunity for businesses and Chambers of Commerce, which have been severely impacted by this reckless tax, to have the opportunity to discuss the detrimental effects and ways to reverse what is sure to suppress future economic growth within the technology industry and the Commonwealth.”

As the largest and broadest tax on computer and software services in the nation, no business, regardless of size or sector, is immune from the wide-ranging tax. House and Senate Republicans had each offered revenue-neutral proposals, which if passed, would have avoided the implementation of the technology tax all together, but the common-sense solution was defeated at the hands of legislative Democrats.

“We have seen clearly what happens when you tax first and ask questions later,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. “In the face of a job killing new computer services tax, we are choosing a different path, one that first seeks information and then leads to action to prevent the economic damage the tax will bring.”

The technology tax, first billed with a fiscal impact of $161 million per year, will exceed that estimate, and stifle the innovative industry by close to $500 million a year.

“Supporting the Commonwealth’s technology economy should never be a partisan decision and we value any legislative support in defense of this critically important sector,” said Christopher Anderson, president of the Massachusetts High Technology Council. “The tech tax is aimed squarely at the heart of our innovation economy and will cause considerable harm if not repealed. We applaud those lawmakers who have spoken out against the tech tax and encourage more of them to join us in showing their clear support for the state’s tech economy and the hundreds of thousands of people who are part of it.”

Details for the Technology Tax Business Roundtables are as follows:

August 26, 2013

ShotgunFlat Creative Agency
12 South Main Street Middleboro, MA 02346
1:00-2:00pm

August 28, 2013

Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce
100 Sherman Avenue Devens, MA 01434
9:00-10:00am

Quinsigamond Community College
Southbridge Campus – Room 305
5 Optical Drive Southbridge, MA 01550
9:00-10:00am

Mansfield Town Hall
6 Park Row Mansfield, MA 02048
1:00-2:00pm

Plymouth Area Community Television
4 Collins Avenue Plymouth, MA 02360
1:00-2:00pm

August 29, 2013

The Training Associates
287 Turnpike Road – 3rd Floor
Westborough, MA 01581
9:00-10:00am

The Savings Bank
351 Main Street Wakefield, MA 01880
3:00-4:00pm

Westfield Athenaeum
Lang Auditorium
6 Elm Street Westfield, MA 01085
3:00-4:00pm

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