California’s “Amazon tax” a colossal bust — UPDATED: repeal referendum?

**Posted by Phineas

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the shortsighted stupidity shown by Governor Brown and the Democrat-dominated legislature when they passed a bill forcing Amazon to collect sales tax on sales made through California-based affiliates: Golden State, stupid state.

Now more evidence has piled up to show how dumb an idea this was. From Board of Equalization member and former state senator George Runner, here’s a list of the businesses that have ended their affiliate programs in California:

6pm.com
Amazon.com
Audible.com
B&H Photo & Electronics Corp.
Backcountry
Barware.com
Beach Trading Co.
BeautyBar.com
BedBathStore
Benchmark Brands Inc.
CSN Stores
Diapers.com
Drugstore.com
Endless.com
Fabric.com
Gaiam
GiftBaskets.com
Hayneedle
Higher Power Inc.
Lacrosse.com
Muscle and Strength
MyHabit.com
Northern Tool
Overton’s
Overstock.com
PC Connection
Potpourri Group
Quidsi
ShindigZ.com
Shoebuy, Inc.
Shopbop
SmallParts.com
Soap.com
The Tire Rack
Thinkgeek.com
Total Gym
Wine Enthusiast
Woot.com
Zappos.com

Be sure to check out Runner’s post for some choice quotes from now-former affiliates.

Not only will Sacramento not collect any new sales tax money from these companies, but it has lost all the income tax revenue it was already collecting from the affiliates at a time when California is suffering from record debt and deficits. And it will hurt those families and small businesses making a bit of money from their affiliate relationships.

As the great Strother Martin said in Butch Cassidy, “Morons! I’ve got morons on my team!”

UPDATE: Well, this is interesting. A movement has started to place a repeal measure on the ballot If it survives the vetting process, I give it a good chance of passing.

Edit: Speaking of morons, I need to learn to proofread my subject lines for spelling.

(Crossposted at Public Secrets)

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