August 18, 2008
MyWireless.org® Applauds House Judiciary Committee’s ‘Cell Tax Fairness Act’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - National wireless consumer advocacy coalition MyWireless.org® today applauded the leadership of Chairman Conyers (D-MI) and Chairwoman Sanchez (D-CA) after their House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law hearing of H.R. 5793, the bipartisan Lofgren-Cannon ‘Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008.’ This important legislation joins its Senate companion bill S. 3249, the bipartisan Wyden-Snowe ‘Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2008,’ for consideration before the 110th Congress comes to a close.
This pro-consumer bill has broad support and calls for a 5-year break from new discriminatory state and local wireless taxes for more than 260 million American wireless consumers. MyWireless.org® thanks Representatives Lofgren (D-CA) and Cannon (R-UT), as well as Senators Wyden (D-OR) and Snowe (R-ME) for supporting much-needed tax relief. The House bill has reached an impressive 130 cosponsors since the legislation was introduced on Tax Day, April 15, 2008.
Kimberly Kuo, Executive Director of MyWireless.org®, said, ”On average, the American wireless consumer pays more than 15% in combined government taxes, fees and surcharges – more than twice the rate imposed on other goods and services subject to sales tax. In many cases, the wireless consumer faces taxes well in excess of so-called ‘sin taxes,’ on products such as alcohol and tobacco. In these increasingly uncertain economic times, American wireless users deserve a break from excessive taxes on communicating.
“Our research shows that 89% of wireless consumers are extremely happy with their wireless services and choices; 85% think they already pay enough or too much in wireless taxes and support policies that would prohibit more state and local taxes and fees on wireless; and 85% of wireless consumers favor Congress passing a freeze on unfair, new state and local wireless taxes and fees,” continued Kuo.
“Wireless has overwhelmingly become the service of choice for staying connected while on the go, but also for Internet content, music, gaming, video and much more,” Kuo said. “Consumers clearly want to prevent spiraling taxes on wireless. We want to thank the Chairman, the Chairwoman, the Committee and the bill sponsors for defending wireless users across the country from more unfair and discriminatory taxation. On behalf of the nation’s 260 million wireless consumers, we look forward to working with them to gain a vote on the House Floor, and ultimately see that this important legislation soon becomes law.”
MyWireless.org® is a national non-profit consumer advocacy organization giving wireless consumers a real voice to protect the freedom and security they enjoy with wireless services.