ASTA is urging members in Connecticut to reach out to legislators to express opposition to a proposed tax on the services provided by travel advisors.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont in February introduced his proposed budget for 2020-2021, which includes a tax on "travel arrangement and scenic transportation," among a number of other services.
ASTA has vowed to fight the proposed tax, something it has done successfully in a number of states.
The Society has set up a "grassroots portal" on its website, which it is urging members to use to send an emailed message to the governor and legislators in opposition to the proposed tax.
The message argues that the proposal would be "devastating" to agencies in Connecticut, of which there are 236 retail locations contributing 1,750 full-time jobs. They pay taxes, the message argues, since revenue is subject to state and federal income tax.
"If passed, this proposal would make Connecticut one of only a handful of states in the nation to impose triple taxation of this nature," the message states.
It also argues that travel advisors are different than other service providers, who mainly compete against other in-state businesses that would be subject to the same taxes; advisors, it says, compete with a number of out-of-state businesses ranging from other agencies to suppliers to OTAs.
"The governor's proposal would put us at a severe competitive disadvantage with advisors and companies that don't have to deal with the increased costs and administrative burdens that taxing their services would bring," the message said.
ASTA has also provided a phone script online if members prefer to call the governor's or legislators' offices.