Press Release
CONSUMER ADVOCACY COALITION LAUNCHES MEDIA CAMPAIGN URGING PENNSYLVANIA POLICYMAKERS TO ROLL BACK DOUBLE TAXES ON WIRELESS SERVICESWashington, D.C. - MyWireless.org, a new consumer advocacy organization, is launching a media campaign on radio and television stations across Pennsylvania to mobilize the more than 6 million wireless users in Pennsylvania to support current legislation to repeal the state's 5% Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) on wireless service.
"This is a simple matter of fairness for over 6 million Pennsylvanians who enjoy the personal freedom, safety and productivity that wireless brings to their work and personal lives,” said Kimberly Kuo, Executive Director of MyWireless.org. “The state’s Gross Receipts Tax on wireless service is extremely regressive, and hits people on fixed budgets especially hard – including seniors, working families and small businesses. There is great momentum in the State Legislature to repeal this unfair tax, and we hope Governor Rendell will seal the deal as soon as it comes to his desk. To that end, MyWireless.org will be mobilizing wireless consumers to be very vocal with their state legislators and Governor Rendell, until we roll back this double tax on wireless."
Pennsylvania ranks 8th in the nation for high wireless taxes. In December 2003, Pennsylvania policymakers loaded a 5% GRT on wireless carriers. Wireless users were already paying a 6% state sales tax on their wireless services, plus other federal and local taxes and fees. That level of unfair and excessive taxation could make the safety, mobility, productivity, and freedom that wireless provides every day unaffordable and inaccessible to many Pennsylvanians.
Fortunately for consumers, Senator Robert Wonderling and Representative Mario Scavello sponsored bills to repeal the Pennsylvania Gross Receipts Tax on wireless service. Over 130 of their colleagues have joined their efforts thus far.
"When it comes to loading more and more taxes unfairly on wireless, we want the State Legislators and Governor Rendell to hear loud and clear from their constituents that enough is enough," added Kuo. "This tax matters to millions of Pennsylvanians, who deserve affordable access to wireless services for their personal and professional lives. Other goods and services aren't double taxed like this. So, in addition to hurting wireless consumers, the Gross Receipts Tax on wireless hurts the state’s overall economic growth by burdening one of the most innovative and thriving technologies around."