I write on behalf of myself and my family to express our grave concerns over Senate Bill 5997. My family has owned and operated a furniture retail business out of Clark County since 1970. On any given month, 40 percent to 50 percent of our sales revenue is from tax-exempt sales.
The furniture retail industry has a high average transaction value, and thus our Oregonian customer base consistently rates tax exemption in their top three concerns when choosing our business. Having worked retail for the majority of my adult life, I can attest with confidence that the remittance program will not assuage the discontentment of the average consumer. We project that Bill 5997 will directly cause a 20 percent to 30 percent decrease in our revenue.
Existing incentives already drive Washington residents to make their large purchases in Oregon. SB 5997 will compound these difficulties by introducing the same incentive structure to Oregon residents. This will disadvantage all Washington retail businesses within driving distance of the Oregon border, especially retail operations with high average transaction value.
SB 5997 will damage Washington businesses, jobs and growth. For these reasons, I implore Gov. Inslee not to sign Senate Bill 5997 into law.
