National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C.            Vol. 31, No. 9 * May 10, 1999

---

Table of Contents | Next story

Lott appoints county official
to Internet advisory group

By Ralph Tabor
associate legislative director

---

Delna Jones
Commissioner
Washington County, Ore.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) announced last week that he is appointing Commissioner Delna Jones, Washington County, Ore., to replace one of the business representatives on the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce.

NACo and the U.S. Conference of Mayors stated they were pleased with the appointment and were dropping their lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed March 8 and enjoined the commission from meeting until it had an equal number of business leaders and state and local government officials as required by the Internet Tax Freedom Act.

"This is a solid victory for counties and cities," said NACo President Betty Lou Ward. "Senator Lott clearly understands the role of state and local governments as it pertains to e-commerce."

Jones has an extensive public finance background. She served in the Oregon legislature from 1980 to 1994 and chaired the House Revenue School Finance Committee for four years. She returned to public office in 1998 and was elected to the Washington County (Ore.) Board of Commissioners.

Jones replaces James Barksdale, former CEO of Netscape, who agreed to resign from the commission to encourage a better balance in public and private sector representation.

"I am delighted to be appointed to the commission and to have the opportunity to help ensure that the perspective of local governments are brought to bear on this important issue. To be called upon in an advisory role at the national level is very gratifying, as is the opportunity to serve with such a talented group of people," Jones said.

"I welcome Delna Jones’ knowledge and perspective to the commission," Lott stated. "Her appointment as a county official not only ensures a public-private sector balance, but also means that each layer of local government is now represented."

The eight state and local government representatives now include three governors, one state legislator, one state tax official, one commissioner on uniform state laws, one mayor and one county commissioner.

Dallas (Texas) Mayor Ron Kirk stated, "I am delighted another local elected official will be joining me on the commission. I look forward to working with Commissioner Jones and the other commission members as we search for ways to improve electronic commerce."

The Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce will hold its first meeting on June 21–22 in Williamsburg, Va. The commission is expected to be chaired by Gov. James Gilmore of Virginia. The commission will be asking for input on electronic commerce tax issues at the June meeting.

The commission is planning at least three more meetings during the next year. The meetings are expected to be held in other parts of the country. The commission is to report to Congress and the president in April, 2000 with recommendations on:

• the effect of interstate sales transactions on retail businesses and state and local governments
• model state legislation providing uniform definitions of goods, services and transactions using the Internet
• collection of consumption taxes on electronic commerce in the United States and other countries, and
• ways to simplify federal, state and local taxes imposed on telecommunications services.

Jones known as 'sales tax lady' in Oregon By Beverly Schlotterbeck editor The newest member of the Advisory Committee on Electronic Commerce is still known by some in Oregon as "that sales tax lady." The title has dogged Washington County (Ore.) Commissioner Delna Jones ever since her days as chairman of Oregon’s House Revenue and School Finance Committee where she championed a state sales tax. And even after voters turned it down she kept at it. "I’ve been accused of being a sales tax advocate," Jones said in a recent interview. Putting her on the side of sales taxes belies early media reports that peg Jones as an Internet industry advocate. The Bond Buyer, a daily newspaper with finance readers across the country, said in an article about her appointment, "But Jones involvement in the communication’s industry drew criticism from state and local advocates. They complained that many of the members ostensibly representing government interests have strong ties to the computer industry." Indeed, Jones did work for US West Communications – not exactly Microsoft – for 30 years. However, she is quick to cite her 12-year experience as a state legislator to counter such claims. "I know the need to balance the interest between business and all the entities that must pay the bills." Jones, who was not interviewed for The Bond Buyer article, added, "If that’s the issue, maybe they should have a conversation with me." How might she stand on taxing Internet and other so-called remote sales? She picks her words very thoughtfully: "Governments have to be careful in looking for ways to raise revenues, but I also believe in protection for traditional tax sources." NACo has already begun briefing the first-term county commissioner on the stakes involved with taxing sales processed through the Internet. A formal meeting is scheduled for later this month. Meanwhile, Jones is tending to county business – budget hearings to be exact. Washington County, outside Portland, is home to several high-tech industries and one of the fastest growing regions in the country. She turned down a draft to run for state school superintendent last year, choosing instead to run for local office. "I really wanted to stay home and stay local."