CONCORD – Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Gene G. Chandler (RBartlett) announced today that he would no longer authorize dues payments to the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL). For several years, the group has advocated for the ability of states to collect a sales tax from their residents who make online purchases, requiring online retailers to impose those taxes on their shoppers.
Last week, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair that would grant states the authority to enforce their tax laws on purchases made by their residents. “New Hampshire is very proud to have no sales tax. Our retail business community thrives as a result of our no sales tax environment. To ask our retailers to collect taxes for dozens of other states is a huge burden on them, and will likely jeopardize their ability to do business online with out-of-state customers. We are certainly disappointed in the Court’s decision, but we are more frustrated that NCSL has championed legislation in congress to force a remote sales tax, and cheered the recent court decision. I cannot in good conscience continue to associate with a group that unabashedly promotes a policy that I, and so many other Granite Staters, disagree with. Effective today, the New Hampshire House will no longer pay any dues or fees to NCSL or any other organization that supports or promotes a national remote sales tax policy. It’s unconscionable that New Hampshire business will have to participate in fueling the growth of government in other states.”
Background: NCSL issued a statement on June 21st in support of the Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair.