WHEREAS:
The federal government has failed to meet its domestic fiscal commitments, forcing state and local governments to carry an increasing burden to fund vital public services such as education, health care, public safety and transportation; and

WHEREAS:
Congress, influenced by corporate lobbyists, has in recent years enacted or proposed measures that pre-empt states’ and local governments’ rights to levy such revenue sources as corporate and individual income taxes, telecommunications taxes, and fees, and has frustrated states’ efforts to collect lawfully due sales taxes that should be collected from e-commerce, catalog and other remote vendors; and

WHEREAS:
Pre-emption of state and local taxing authority deprives jurisdictions of tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue that could be used to fund the services our members provide, and denies residents of the states the right to determine their own fiscal policies.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
AFSCME will oppose actions by Congress that restrict state and local revenue authority; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
AFSCME will oppose actions by state legislatures that narrow local governments’ revenue authority; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
AFSCME will support efforts of the states to gain federal approval to require collection of sales taxes by e-commerce, catalog and other remote vendors.
 
 
SUBMITTED BY: Michael D. Murphy, President and Delegate
Richard C. Badger, Executive Director and Delegate
AFSCME Council 40
Wisconsin