WHO, WHERE, WHEN, WHY???

Massachusetts Package Store Owners and their friends and employees

Front Steps of the MA State House,
55 Beacon Street,
Boston…just across from the Boston Common

Thursday, June 4 at 12:00 Noon

Retailers and other members of the Massachusetts beverage alcohol industry will stand in unison as a show of support AGAINST any additional taxes on alcohol. Together, we will present over 40,000 signatures from MA voters who have expressed their disapproval to an alcohol tax increase , either by sales tax or increased excise tax. Together, we will deliver a powerful message to the Massachusetts Legislature that raising taxes on alcohol is not necessary, that it is regressive, that it will cost jobs and businesses, and that it will raise much less tax income than is being projected. Together, we will demonstrate that raising taxes on alcohol is simply another reason to drive our citizens to NH to purchase even more products out of state.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to display your support for what your association and the industry are doing to protect your business, your income, and your future.  Join with us on the state house steps to demonstrate your disapproval of the Legislature’s proposals and to show your support for the industry that has been so good to you for so many years.

We hope to see you on Thursday in Boston.

Take Action Now!

First Email from Frank

Late Tuesday the MA Senate approved an increase in the state sales tax to 6.25% by a vote of 29-10. Soon after that, Sen. Marian Walsh re-introduced her amendment to include alcohol in the sales tax, and it was also approved after a quick debate and an un-recorded voice vote.

Much of this came as a surprise to us and other interested organizations, and I assure you that MassPack has taken the lead in calling the lobbyists from the interested industry organizations back to the table for a strategy session.  The tax issue will now go to a joint conference committee because the House and Senate budget proposals differ so dramatically. The lobbyists will meet today at 4:00 PM to discuss any action that should be taken with the joint conference committee.  Once unified, strategic action is achieved, we will notify you as to what steps we would like you to take.

Please watch your emails and reserve any action until a plan is in place.

Regards,

Frank

Frank Anzalotti

Executive Director

Massachusetts Package Stores Association

tel: 413-736-6164

fax: 413-736-5880

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

"Drink Responsibly. Drive Responsibly"

Second Email From Frank

Hello all:

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED

SUBJECT: SALES TAX ON ALCOHOL

As I write this email, a Joint Conference Committee is beginning deliberations on the final version of the budget to the FY10 budget to be sent to the Governor. Since the House voted NOT to include a sales tax on alcohol but the Senate DID vote such an inclusion, it is time to turn our attention back to the House. WE MUST STAY ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE PROCESS AND BE PREPARED TO ASSERT OUR VIEWPOINTS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. WE NEED TO CONVINCE ALL OF OUR LEGISLATORS, ESPECIALLY OUR REPS, TO REMOVE ALCOHOL FROM THE SALES TAX!

We have received word that the petitions are working and having an impact on the Legislature. We have already turned in about 25,000 signatures. These signatures are being turned over to the representatives as we speak. Your follow-up contact to your representative is CRITICAL AT THIS POINT. Please take the following steps IMMEDIATELY!

• Print all of the materials in the attachments above.
• Make several copies of each item. Please make several hundred copies of the "Final Flyer" and use it as a bag stuffer.
• Post the flyers prominently in your store
• Return any signed petitions to the MassPack offices via FAX to NO LATER THAN NEXT THURSDAY, May 28th. FAX NUMBER 1-413-736-5880.
• Get customers to use the provided information (MassPack website, email address to locate individual legislators) and to contact their REPRESENTATIVES NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MAY 29th.
• You should personally contact your own legislators and drive home the message. Take the same steps as I have described them to locate the name and contact information for your own legislators.
• Always refer to the MassPack website: http://www.masspack.org for the latest updates and for more copies of the materials.

Now is the perfect time to act. Your future is on the line. The only way to beat back the alcohol sales tax is for ALL OF US to participate in this process in a unified manner.

Regards,

Frank

Frank Anzalotti

Executive Director

Massachusetts Package Stores Association

tel: 413-736-6164

fax: 413-736-5880

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

"Drink Responsibly. Drive Responsibly"

Attachments

MassPack Trade Show:  Wednesday, October 14, 2009

This year's feature:  Food & Wine Pairing...

Schedule of Alcohol Server Training Seminars (BAT) offered by
The Massachusetts Package Stores Association (MassPack)

Industry news from around the country.  Read about current legislation, rulings, product announcements, recalls and much more. Stay current and don't be left out!

How will it effect your business and legislation in Massachusetts?  The news alerts are also in the Forums for discussion.  Subscribe to the news alerts in the Forum.  Link to News Forum

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The Massachusetts Package Stores Association (MassPack) is a non-profit trade organization representing the interests of the hundreds of independently-owned retail liquor stores across the state. MassPack is keenly aware of the business challenges our members face including: rising operational costs; changing competitive landscape; new insurance requirements; wage and labor issues; government regulations; legislative issues; preventing illegal sales and more. The Board of Directors of MassPack is primarily comprised of owner/operators of liquor stores who deal with these various issues everyday and volunteer their time to serve the industry. 

The Massachusetts Package Stores Association offers a number of “member only” programs designed to benefit your business.  By utilizing the combined purchasing power of our members we are able to negotiate favorable rates on many products and services and provide access to programs which may not be available to you individually.  In addition, the unity of our membership base provides MassPack with a voice on Beacon Hill. The overall goal is to lower your operational coasts, increase your profits and protect your business interests.  Our benefits include:

The Massachusetts Package Stores Association has always prided itself on its ability to protect the businesses of the independent liquor store owner.  Together, and as individuals, we have kept our industry strong and profitable for small business owners.  This is not the situation in most industries.

Through our lobbying and grassroots efforts, we will continue to protect your business by defending the three-license ownership limit, current quota system and three-tier distribution system.  We will represent you at any and all legislative and regulatory hearings that affect the retail industry as a whole.   Also, we will work closely with other state organizations to prevent any expansion of the bottle bill or any increase in the deposit structure.  If at all possible, we will pass legislation to eliminate the bottle bill and replace it with mandatory curbside recycling.  In addition, we will defend against any attempts to increase taxes on alcohol.