GOP Announces Massachusetts Roundtables To Discuss Tech Tax

The Republican Caucus of the Massachusetts state House and Senate announced Monday a schedule of roundtable discussions to get people talking about the implications of the tech tax on local businesses and make steps toward repeal.

The 2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables will kick off Monday afternoon and are scheduled through the week across the state. It will be a collection of GOP legislators, chamber of commerce and local technology professionals.

"Since the Democratic-led legislature approved the crippling technology tax, one of the Commonwealth's most vital sectors is just beginning to deal with the adverse effects of the tax. The 2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables will serve as an opportunity for businesses and Chambers of Commerce, which have been severely impacted by this reckless tax, to have the opportunity to discuss the detrimental effects and ways to reverse what is sure to suppress future economic growth within the technology industry and the Commonwealth," said House Minority Leader Brad Jones in a statement.

[Related: Global Business Looks To Leave Massachusetts, Reduce Headcount After Tech Tax Hit ]

The roundtable is being held in response to widespread anger from businesses across the state in response to the July 31 implementation of a 6.25 percent tax on software services. A measure to repeal the tax has already been proposed by Sen. Karen Spilka and a petition has been handed to the state attorney general to get the issue put before a vote on the November 2014 ballot.

"We are trying to stop this deluge of bad policy coming out of Boston but we need help from the public," said Republican Rep. Keiko Orrall, who voted against the tech tax when it came before the legislature as part of a bill to fund state transportation. "We need outrage from the public."

NEXT: Schedule of Roundtable Events

Aug. 26, 2013
ShotgunFlat Creative Agency
12 South Main Street
Middleboro, Mass. 02346
1:00-2:00 p.m.

Aug. 28, 2013
Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce
100 Sherman Ave.
Devens, Mass. 01434
9:00-10:00 a.m.

Aug. 28, 2013
Quinsigamond Community College
Southbridge Campus – Room 305
5 Optical Drive
Southbridge, Mass. 01550
9:00-10:00 a.m.

Aug. 28, 2013
Mansfield Town Hall
6 Park Row
Mansfield, Mass. 02048
1:00-2:00 p.m.

Aug. 28, 2013
Plymouth Area Community Television
4 Collins Ave.
Plymouth, Mass. 02360
1:00-2:00 p.m.

Aug. 29, 2013
The Training Associates
281 Turnpike Road – 3rd Floor
Westborough, Mass. 01581
9:00-10:00 a.m.

Aug. 29, 2013
Wakefield Savings Bank
351 Main Street
Wakefield, Mass. 01880
3:00-4:00 p.m.

Aug. 29, 2013
Westfield Athenaeum
Lang Auditorium
6 Elm Street
Westfield, Mass. 01085
3:00-4:00 p.m.

PUBLISHED AUG. 26, 2013