PROPOSED SALES TAX ON LEGAL SERVICES
MESSAGE TO AKRON BAR ASSOCIATION MEMBERS FROM PRESIDENT JACK WEISENSELL
REGARDING PROPOSED 5% SALES TAX ON LEGAL SERVICES Dear Members of the Akron Bar Association:
As you are likely aware, Governor Kasich recently has presented a budget proposal (HB 59) that, among other things, recommends the adoption of a new 5% sales tax on legal services. The Ohio State Bar Association and several of the Ohio Metro Bars, including the Akron Bar Association, have passed resolutions to oppose this new sales tax proposal, and are encouraging their membership to contact their elected representatives to express their opinion with respect to the new sales tax proposal.
To this end, I am forwarding you an e-mail that I received from the Ohio State Bar Association that provides sample letters, talking points, etc., that attorneys can use in contacting your individual state legislators, colleagues, and clients concerning this very important issue. Please see the e-mail below. This is a critical issue that calls for us to join together to express our opinion to the General Assembly. Time is of the essence, as the information I have is that testimony is already being taken, and the vote on the budget will take place the week of March 18. Therefore, your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Jack Weisensell
President of the Akron Bar Association
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Toolkit to oppose the expansion of Ohio sale tax to legal services
You are receiving this message as a member of the legal community to seek your assistance in preventing the expansion of the Ohio sales tax to legal services (as part of House Bill 59). The Ohio State Bar Association, along with other prominent legal organizations in the state, have issued statements opposing this tax expansion. Our overriding message is clear: the proposal is inappropriate tax policy that would overly burden our clients and impede access to the legal system, and we are concerned about the administration of the tax and its effect on the practice of law.
Legislators need to hear from members of the legal community and their clients about why this tax proposal should be removed from the budget. To that end, we have created a tool kit that includes a talking points document, along with several sample letters to key audiences – especially legislators.
Time is of the essence. The sooner and more often our legislators receive our message, the better. Please initiate your own correspondences with your legislators, and ask your clients to assist wherever appropriate.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Bill Weisenberg at 614/487-4414 (W), 614/582-7570 (C), or
wweisenberg@ohiobar.org Mary Amos Augsburger at 614/487-4464 (W), 614/783-4852 (C), or
maugsburger@ohiobar.org Please start by clicking the link entitled “instructions,” then go on to use the other links to access sample letters, legislative contact information, statements from legal organizations, and additional support materials. While viewing the individual documents on Google Docs in your web browser you can download them by choosing Download off of the File menu.
Thanks for being an integral part of this effort and remember to send us any resolutions or press releases from your organizations.
Instructions (
please read first)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9uFWoqjE-6NWG9hZi1pNGh0ZDg/edit?usp=sharing Talking Points
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9uFWoqjE-6NdHBHalY5YndHTVk/edit?usp=sharing Attorney Letter to Legislators
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9uFWoqjE-6NRGQxelpjQTZUZGs/edit?usp=sharing Attorney Letter to Colleagues
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9uFWoqjE-6NQTdfNXFlR01wSFE/edit?usp=sharing Attorney Letter to Clients
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9uFWoqjE-6NTUhrOWdEWmR3VEk/edit?usp=sharing Client Letter to Legislators
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9uFWoqjE-6NcVZ5Z3dfRVp2Ulk/edit?usp=sharing Legislative Contact Information
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9uFWoqjE-6NYkU3dUZwR3JtYk0/edit?usp=sharing