Say NO to all Unfair, New State and Local Wireless Taxes and Fees - FOR FIVE YEARS!
The American wireless consumer today now pays 15 percent on average in wireless taxes on their monthly bill - and in some states, 17 of them to be exact, tax rates have even skyrocketed to well over 15 percent in combined federal, state and local monthly wireless taxes. When you consider that nationally the average sales tax on goods and services is around 6%, wireless taxes are currently DOUBLE or TRIPLE that of other goods and services. That is a grossly unfair financial burden to put on today's wireless consumer, particularly in light of our already troubling current economic climate. Wireless consumers today pay over $20 billion dollars annually in wireless taxes and fees. More than 270 million Americans use their wireless device every day to keep connected to family and friends, to the office, and to their worlds. An upcoming legislative debate in Washington, D.C., could affect your bottom line as you construct your monthly budget at home. Here are the facts: the State of Florida's more than 16 million wireless consumers are already paying more than 20% in combined monthly wireless taxes and fees. That amounts to Florida ranking third-highest in the nation in this category. This is not a national ranking the Sunshine State can be proud of. Congress must not let complicated and costly state and local taxes, fees and surcharges make using your cell phone inaccessible, and unaffordable. However, Florida's wireless consumers have hope. Thanks to the vision and bi-partisan leadership of Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), they are prepared to re-introduce in the new 111th Congress the Senate legislation from last Congress known as the "Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act." These Senators are also now looking for additional support, and they are actively seeking the support of Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). Florida's wireless consumers should thank Senator Nelson for his previous support of the bill in the last Congress, and urge his support and cosponsorship again in 2009. YOU CAN HELP TODAY BY MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD! Please encourage your U.S. Senator in Washington, D.C., Senator Bill Nelson, to support and cosponsor the soon-to-be re-introduced "Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act," strong pro-consumer legislation that will freeze all new, discriminatory state and local wireless taxes for a period of five years. That will ensure more than 270 million American wireless consumers - more than 16 million right here in Florida - can benefit from a consistent and responsible break from all unfair, new state and local wireless taxes. Join us at MyWireless.org to share your message with Senator Nelson today!
Submitting this form will transmit the letter below to Senator Nelson.
In these already troubling economic times, please make tax relief for America's more than 270 million wireless consumers - more than 16 million of them right here in Florida - a real priority of the U.S. Senate in 2009 during the first session of the 111th Congress. Senator, thank you for your strong pro-consumer support of the "Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act" during the last Congress, and please stand up for me by supporting and co-sponsoring the legislation when it is soon re-introduced by Senators Wyden (OR) and Snowe (ME).
As you may know, the American wireless consumer today now pays over 15 percent on average in combined federal, state and local wireless taxes and fees on our monthly bills. I have also learned that in some states, 17 of them to be exact, these taxes and fees have even skyrocketed to well over 15 percent in monthly wireless taxes. After going over my bill and my monthly budget at home, I see my wireless taxes are currently DOUBLE or TRIPLE that of other goods and services. Wireless consumers now pay over $20 billion dollars annually in wireless taxes and fees.
The numbers are even worse right here at home. Our State of Florida's more than 16 million wireless consumers are already paying more than 20% in combined monthly wireless taxes and fees. That amounts to Florida ranking third-highest in the nation in this category. This is not a national ranking the Sunshine State can be proud of. That is a grossly unfair financial burden to the average Floridian to face each month, and I am worried that it could make wireless inaccessible and unaffordable.
I use my wireless device more and more every day to keep connected to my family and friends, to my office and to my world. I hope that you will look out for me in Washington, and don't let complicated and costly state and local wireless taxes, fees and surcharges make using my cell phone unaffordable. Support this important bi-partisan legislation to enact Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness. In passing a bill to place a much-needed 5-year freeze on all new, discriminatory state and local taxes on wireless service, you are allowing me to keep a little more of my hard-earned money. In these uncertain economic times, that would be greatly appreciated.
Senator, thank you for your leadership and hard work on behalf of all of Florida's consumers. Please join Senators Wyden and Snowe, and support and co-sponsor the soon to be re-introduced "Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act" today. My best wishes to you in this new Congress.
