Res 114-2003 9/16/2003RESOLUTION NO. 11 LA - DZO 3
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WICHITA
FALLS, TEXAS, URGING SENATORS KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON AND
JOHN CORNYN, CONGRESSMAN MAC THORNBERRY AND THE
UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO END THE CURRENT MORATORIUM
ON INTERNET SALES TAXES; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT
THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
WHEREAS, out. -of -state remote sellers who conduct sales via the Internet are
not required by law to collect existing sales and use taxes imposed by state and local
governments; and,
WHEREAS, the primary barrier to collecting taxes on remote sales is the United
States Supreme Court's ruling in Quill v. North Dakota, which defers to Congress to
authorize states to require remote sellers to collect taxes in a manner that does not
unduly burden interstate commerce; and,
WHEREAS, state and local governments are working together to implement a
streamlined sales tax system that would simplify definitions, tax rates and tax bases
and use 21St century technology in the collection process; and,
WHEREAS, current laws create a competitive disadvantage and great inequities
between merchants who sell from traditional "brick and mortar" establishments and
those who sell from electronic stores; and,
WHEREAS, increasing sales on the Internet, and the resulting erosion of state
and local sales and use tax revenues, will limit the ability of states, local governments
and school districts to finance essential public services, such as police, fire, emergency
medical service, education, social services, infrastructure development and health care.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1 . Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, Congressman
Mac Thornberry and the United States Congress are hereby urged to end the current
moratorium for the collection of Internet sales taxes, as established by the Internet
Freedom Act of 1998, and are further urged to oppose any new legislation that will
extend or expand the current moratorium.
SECTION 2 . It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at
which this resolution was passed was open to the public as required by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 16th day of September, 2003.
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ATTEST:
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City Clerk