Rebecca Madigan, Executive Director of the Performance Marketing Association updated us on the latest in the proposed Colorado affiliate tax in Colorado Advertising Tax passes out of Senate Committee.
Even though the bill passed out of the senate finance committee, there is some good news:
We were given an opportunity for an amendment that would exempt online affiliates from establishing nexus for out of state retailers.
Rebecca then writes:
This amendment, if completed as promised, may make some merchants comfortable enough to continue working with Colorado affiliates. For others, it may not.
…The best option for our industry is if this law does not exist. We will continue to fight for a repeal of the law, because affiliates do not establish nexus for out of state retailers.
What made the difference? Involvement by Colorado business people, bloggers and website owners!
The enormous affiliate effort to fight this bill, involving well over 150 people, was something the politicians didn’t expect, and didn’t see from any other group for any other bill. Phone calls, personal visits, letters, postings on the legislators’ Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, attendance at hearings, hand delivery of packets of information – this went on steadily for 2 weeks. This barrage of activity made a huge impression. The legislature understood the impact on the 4,200 affiliates in Colorado, realized the devastation that would result, and agreed to amend the bill.
Just show you how even us small business people, mom bloggers and solopreneurs can get the job done!