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Restaurants, retailers press lawmakers to allow credit-card surcharges, cite high swipe fees and diverging state guidance
Summary
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and retailers told the committee that rising credit-card processing fees are a major cost driver and asked the legislature to permit surcharges (with disclosure) that would allow businesses to pass merchant fees to card users.
Restaurant and retail representatives told the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business that credit-card processing fees have become a significant cost pressure and urged statutory change to allow surcharges with clear consumer disclosure.
Jessica Moore, director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said credit-card fees have climbed and are now one of the largest operating costs for many restaurants. "Restaurant owners pay between 2% and 5% on every credit card transaction, which…
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