Franchot hops on tax-holiday bandwagon
Tuesday's column was about the stupidity of sales-tax holidays, which distort fiscal policy and consumer behavior and whose only fans are politicians. The column took shots at O'Malley and Ehrlich.
There's a lot of this going around. Eighteen states have approved sales-tax respites this year. If the Massachusetts Senate ratifies a tax holiday approved two weeks ago by the House, that'll make 19 — an all-time high, according to a study published Monday by the Tax Foundation.And — surprise! — two-thirds of those states hold gubernatorial elections this year.
I see from my Inbox that Comptroller Peter Franchot is also associating himself with the 1-week sales-tax break that Marylanders will get starting Aug. 8. The names of Washington County Commissioner John Barr and Sen. Don Munson also find themselves in the same press release with Aeropostale, Banana Republic, BCBG MAXAZRIA, J.Crew, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren & Skechers. Just in case you throught there was anything except marketing going on here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Sue Helondovitch Angie Riford
Oxford Communications Prime Outlets-Hagerstown
609.397.4242, ext. 176 301.790.2031
shelondovitch@oxfordcommunications.com ariford@primeretail.com
PRIME OUTLETS – HAGERSTOWN CELEBRATES RETURN OF TAX-FREE SHOPPINGComptroller Franchot, Local Officials to Visit Shopping Destination for Official Announcement Thursday, Aug. 5
HAGERSTOWN, MD – July 28, 2010 – As tax-free shopping returns to Maryland following a four-year hiatus Sun., August 8 through Sat., August 14, the more than 100 merchants at Prime Outlets – Hagerstown, the outlet shopping destination located near the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metro markets, are preparing for thousands of back-to-school, summer clearance and fall fashion shoppers looking to reap the benefits of additional savings opportunities from leading designer and name-brands.
“Given today’s economic climate where consumer are looking for ways to stretch their money farther, Prime Outlets – Hagerstown shoppers are thrilled tax-free week is back in Maryland,” said Prime Outlets Senior Vice President of Marketing Karen E. Fluharty. “From back-to-school shopping and end-of-summer sales to today’s hottest fall looks, we are expecting record traffic at our outlet center where shoppers will save even more beyond the up to 65 percent off regular retail prices we offer every day.” Maryland held its last tax-free shopping period in 2006. Since then, Prime Outlets – Hagerstown’s roster of merchants has expanded greatly where popular name-brands including New York & Company, Under Armour, Coldwater Creek and New Balance will hold their inaugural tax-free shopping week celebrations at the outlet center. “This legislation was passed in an effort to help consumers and give a boost to retailers,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot. “While the state will take a slight tax hit, Marylanders have been devastated by the national recession and deserve this break as they prepare to send their kids back to school.” Along with Comptroller Franchot, Prime Outlets – Hagerstown will welcome County Commissioner John Barr and Senator Don Munson Thursday, August 5 at 1:30 p.m. for a press conference to usher in Maryland’s tax-free shopping week. The press conference will be held in front of Banana Republic at the outlet center. During Maryland’s tax-free shopping week, clothing and footwear items priced at $100 or less will be exempt from Maryland’s six percent sales tax. Items include sweaters, shirts, slacks, jeans, dresses, robes, undergarments, belts, shoes, boots, and more. Prime Outlets –Hagerstown features a comprehensive collection of more than 1000 leading designer and top name-brand such as Aeropostale, Banana Republic, BCBG MAXAZRIA, J.Crew, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Skechers, among many more.
