The NGA's concerns are over the new definition that they contend would exempt
not only certain telecommunications services, but would also expand the pre-emption
beyond sales taxes to include some income, property and other business taxes.
In an NGA letter to Senate leadership, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and South
Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, chair and vice chair of the group's economic development
and commerce committee, said, "With little time to negotiate an
appropriate definition of Internet access, we encourage you to support
a simple, temporary
extension of current law to allow Congress, industry, and state and local
governments time to fashion a permanent moratorium that is thoughtful and
fair." [Governors Oppose Permanent Internet Access Tax Exemption]
This isn't an academic question: if your local taxing entities lose the cable
tax, they're going to have to get it from you.
What to do? Some Democrats and Republican Senators
have gotten together to block the Senate bill (see the WSJ article), but
that's not enough, and nobody wants the 1998 act to simply expire. I'm about
to call my House Representative and both Senators to let them know
that I'm with the governors for
"a
simple, temporary extension of current law." You can do the same. To make
it easier, here are links
to Senators and links
to Representatives.
It's a rip-off that should be stopped - tell a friend.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
it is my guess that Hamas will celebrate Yom Kippur, PETA will open a chain of BBQ restaurants, and Britney Spears will be voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before there in an email tax in the United States
2 - Hal Pawluk
The e-mail tax is just the entry point for the story.
3 - Eric Olsen
and a startling one at that!
4 - Hal Pawluk
Shows the debilitating effects of a few decades in advertising and marketing :-