Americans for Affordable Products Launches Local Campaign in Tennessee Ahead of Tuesday's Ways and Means Committee Hearing on Border Adjustment Tax

Urges Representative Diane Black to Support Tax Reform That Boosts Job Growth Without BAT

News provided by

May 22, 2017, 13:54 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ahead of Tuesday's House Ways and Means Committee Hearing on the Border Adjustment Tax (BAT), Americans for Affordable Products (AAP), a national coalition of nearly 500 small businesses, retailers and trade associations united to stop the BAT, announced the launch of its local campaign to educate lawmakers and citizens about the harmful effect the proposal will have on the state of Tennessee.

AAP is calling upon Tennessee's entire congressional delegation to oppose this ill-advised policy that will not only make everyday goods more expensive for Tennessee residents, but it will make it even harder for job creators to do business in the state. House Ways and Means Committee Member Diane Black will play a critical role ensuring this bad policy never becomes law.

"As a jeweler, I frequently look to imported goods to provide my customers what they expect," said Michael White, owner of White's Jewelers in Springfield. "If the Border Adjustment Tax is passed, our industry will immediately take a hit. Costs will go up, and so will the prices that consumers must pay. "While I support comprehensive tax reform, I call on Representative Black and the rest of the Tennessee delegation to oppose the Border Adjustment Tax. Main Street America already struggles to compete and prosper, whether it is a hometown jeweler like me, or the biggest auto dealer in middle Tennessee. We cannot succeed if an obstacle like this is put in our way."

The BAT will increase the costs on everyday essentials that Tennesseans rely on, like food, clothing and medicine, by $1,700. It would have devastating consequences on the retail industry, which supports 42 million jobs in the United States. Dollar General Store, Autozone and the Tennessee Retail Association are members of the coalition.

"If a coffee roaster like myself is hit by a 20 percent tax on imports, it is a significant threat to my business," said Mat Lasater, owner of LASATERS Coffee, a coffee and tea franchising company with eight locations in middle Tennessee. "Coffee beans are not grown anywhere in the United States except Hawaii, and I have no choice but to import. Companies like mine stand as examples of how small businesses can thrive in America. To hit us with something that drastically increases the cost of our primary product sends a deeply disturbing message to small businesses and entrepreneurs."

Americans for Affordable Products is a coalition of job creators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and consumers united against higher prices on everyday necessities. To learn more, please visit:
www.KeepAmericaAffordable.com.

Additional Information: