Bill Offers Tax Credit for Print Buyers

At the Legislative Intensive Session, held during the ninth annual Print Oasis Print Buyers Conference July 19-21 in Washington, DC, print buyers from across the country gathered to learn about a Bill proposed by Print Buyers Online, called the Print Buyer’s Reduction in Taxes Bill of 2010 (PRINT). The legislation proposes that any print project, which is purchased in an environmentally sustainable way and that meets certain requirements, be eligible for refunds of state sales taxes by the Federal government.

If passed, print buyers would receive a credit against income tax for obtaining sustainable print projects. To qualify, a sustainable print project would need to employ 13 of the 15 requirements listed under the Sustainable Requirements subsection of the bill.

In other session news, Joseph Grieboski, founder and CEO of justCONSULTING, led an educational seminar on the specific steps involved in presenting legislative issues to congress. Grieboski noted that the average time lobbyists usually have to present their cases to congress is 15 minutes or less. He went over a few specific tools to guide amateur lobbyists in the process, such as: how to craft the message; knowing who to align with and defining the players; creating an action plan, and then arranging the meetings to speak with congressional staff and members of congress; and promoting issues with letter writing campaigns, congressional hearings, newspaper ads, etc.

The session also included presentations from Michael Schwartz, the chief of staff to U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK); Greg Mitchell, a government relations consultant and registered lobbyist; and Kathryn Cameron Porter, founder and president of the Leadership Council for Human Rights and the founder of the Human Rights Alliance. She has also served as a congressional chief of staff, electoral campaign manager, non-profit executive and consultant, and U.S. presidential political appointee.

In your opinion, does this proposed legislation have any hope of reaching fruition? Where does it fall short, or does PRINT have a fighting chance for passage? Share your views below by posting a Comment.