Texas Becoming Legal

Business By Meagan Updated 12 Nov 2009 , 2:41pm by jenng1482

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pastriegirl Posted 11 Jan 2009 , 4:22am
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I just saw this post and include me in on this....!

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Mac Posted 11 Jan 2009 , 4:37am
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I now rent a commercial kitchen. I found a private school that does not use their kitchen and I rent it in the evenings. I did have some help as alot of my clients are "backers" of this school. And I have participated in many fundraisers for this school.

You cannot bake out of your home! Sorry and I do not think that Texas will change...no matter how much our reps are deluged with our letters. But that is just my opinion. They may surprise me, yet!

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indydebi Posted 11 Jan 2009 , 4:39am
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Even tho' I can't write and help, I'm adding my support behind you guys! thumbs_up.gif

Do you collect sales tax on cakes in Texas? If so, do you think it would help to mention the benefit of additional income to the state in sales tax, new licensing fees, annual renewals, etc., etc. ... you know, the "what's in it for me" angle ("me" being the state of Texas!). Not to mention how the local politicians can claim bragging rights to "creating X new jobs" and "helped to open X new businesses!" during their next election campaign. icon_rolleyes.gif

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kelleym Posted 11 Jan 2009 , 4:43am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

Even tho' I can't write and help, I'm adding my support behind you guys! thumbs_up.gif

Do you collect sales tax on cakes in Texas?




Unfortunately (in this case), the answer is no - whole cakes are not subject to sales tax. When I ran my business I was glad of it. icon_smile.gif

Quote:
Quote:

Not to mention how the local politicians can claim bragging rights to "creating X new jobs" and "helped to open X new businesses!" during their next election campaign. icon_rolleyes.gif




YES! What politician wouldn't want to claim to have created new businesses and jobs in this economy?

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Mac Posted 11 Jan 2009 , 4:44am
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I don't collect sales tax. I called Comptroller's office and was told that since my clientele takes the cakes/cookies with them to eat (in other words, I do not have a place for them to sit and eat there) that I do not have to collect it.

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kelleym Posted 16 Jan 2009 , 4:12am
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Bump!

Yesterday I sent 4 certified letters to:

Representative Dan Gattis
Senator Steve Ogden
Lt. Governor David Dewhurts
Gov. Rick Perry

My sample letter is on the previous page, for anyone who wants to write but doesn't know where to start.

If anybody out there is lucky enough to get a meeting in Austin with someone, I will offer up my guest bedroom for a night if you're further away than a day trip. Also, if you would like me to attend with you, I will.

I feel passionately about this issue, can anyone tell? icon_biggrin.gif

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ksbrzoz Posted 26 Jan 2009 , 9:54pm
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I will write my representatives right now. Texas is notorious for being a bad place to start a business, and we have got to change laws such as this home baking prohibition, inventory laws, and sales tax laws. I know at least three people who would like to relocate here and can't because of the business laws. In this economy, the state should be trying more than ever to entice people to come or stay here.

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kelleym Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:22pm
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Ok, guys. I've heard back from Senator Ogden. Here is his hand-written note to me:

Quote:
Quote:

Kelley,

A compromise might be a more customized license for residential kitchens. I would consider any suggestions.
Steve



Suggestions? BOY do I have suggestions!! I've spent the last week on the phone with every state agency that has Cottage Foods laws (and most of them have been extremely helpful!).

I have a meeting with his aide at the Capitol on Wednesday at 10:00.

Here's what I need from you guys: a MASSIVE outpouring of public support. I've created a petition online for you to sign so I can print it out and take it with me.

http://www.petitiononline.com/TXCotFd/petition.html

Sign it! Forward it to your non-CC baking contacts! Post this in other Texas threads! It is amazing to me that I actually got a meeting and may have a glimmer of support from the Senator. I need to show the Senator that in this troubled economy, this law would create JOBS and OPPORTUNITY for thousands of people. Please sign, and write a small paragraph telling how the law would help you.

icon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gif
Sign! Sign! Sign! Sign! Sign!

p.s. Senator Ogden is the chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. He is evidently a very influential legislator.

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Teekakes Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:26pm
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Awesome!!! Going there right now to sign and will get as many other signatures as possible!
WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thumbs_up.gificon_biggrin.gif

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diamondsonblackvelvet13 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:32pm
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I am signing and sending! Thank YOU!!!!!!

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lanibird Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:32pm
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Awesomeness. Signed. I'll post a link in the West Texas Decorators thread. Forwarding to as many people as possible.

thumbs_up.gif

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eldag0615 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:34pm
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I just added my signature.


PLEEEEAAAASE , someone else, add your signature, there is only 4 including mine.

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Briniga Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:38pm
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Ok, I just signed it!! Hey I havent read all through this forum, but I was wondering...Everyone in texas, what do yta'lldo about this? Do ya'll just stop making cakes or continue to make & sell them? How would they find out that your doing this? I just dont understand...

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diamondsonblackvelvet13 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:42pm
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ok, I've sent it to like 30 people....They like my cakes and will send it on!

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doughdough Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:48pm
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I just signed! I just moved to Texas about a month ago, and if Texas could pass this law it would be wonderful.

I was #6, come on all you Texans--sign today!!!

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shannon100 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:55pm
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I signed the petition and put it on facebook!! Kelly, good luck with your meeting Wednesday!

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diamondsonblackvelvet13 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 6:57pm
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I've posted a Myspace bulletin!

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Mac Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 7:00pm
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I am ok with this as long as the residential kitchens don't undercut those of us who have built or rent a commerical kitchen. After seeing all the threads on here about pricing and some people charging very little because "they aren't as experienced", worries me that some residential kitchen bakers will continue to "give away" beautiful work just to get their name out.

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eldag0615 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 7:22pm
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I just sent it to 18 of my family and friends.

And Mac, don't worry, in case it is approved, it won't be me undercutting prices, no waaaay. After everything I have learned here, I would not do that, besides, if it is approved, that does not mean that you just start selling, I called last week my Health D. (because I want to get legal, and apparently there is an approved kitchen I can rent), and I still have to get licensed. How? I have to apply at my City Hall to get licensed, pay a fee, have the city and fire dept. inspect the kitchen, then take the Food Managers class and pass the test, you take it on line but before you register, you get all the info. and call your H.D. again to make sure that company is officially registered in Texas and approved too, etc, etc, etc.

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Marianna46 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 7:33pm
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I'm a Texas native but I don't live there anymore. Even so, I just want you to know that I fully support this effort. It should be legal in all states. So, everyone of you in Texas who can, please write your state officials demanding that this be put into law. I congratulate those of you who have worked so hard researching this proposal and compiling lists of state representatives. And I congratulate the rest of you for having such a great bunch of teammates on CC!

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SweetPea0613 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 7:36pm
post #81 of 347

I just signed. I was number 22 and my hubby was 23...

Come on people! Let's get those signatures!!! icon_biggrin.gif

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tx_cupcake Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 7:51pm
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I am signing this petition, sending it to everyone in my address book and posting it on Facebook.

Texans unite!!!

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mcdonald Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 7:52pm
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I just signed it also... I am going to forward to some cake clubs around here as well....

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Amia Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 7:54pm
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I just signed and I also emailed the link to my entire address book!

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diamondsonblackvelvet13 Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 8:11pm
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Oh! Don't forget to text everyone too! lol

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Amia Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 8:14pm
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Ooh I should text some people! I did post the link on my facebook and my myspace page and told my family to forward the email! I have over 200 friends on facebook, if they all sign, that would be awesome!

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mcalhoun Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 8:23pm
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I just signed as well. This is the first time I had seen the thread!

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doughdough Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 8:30pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac

I am ok with this as long as the residential kitchens don't undercut those of us who have built or rent a commerical kitchen. After seeing all the threads on here about pricing and some people charging very little because "they aren't as experienced", worries me that some residential kitchen bakers will continue to "give away" beautiful work just to get their name out.




Don't worry about me! My time is precious, and I would charge accordingly!

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hwnhulahands Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 8:50pm
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I signed it, I am number 49, my hubby is 51. I forwarded it to everyone on my email, myspace, and facebook.

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brannendeville Posted 2 Feb 2009 , 8:50pm
post #90 of 347

Count me in. I was number 47!!

What is the senators address? I would like to write him too.

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