Press Release
GOVERNOR PROTECTS 3 MILLION MISSOURIANS FROM HIGHER LOCAL WIRELESS TAXESSigns Bill Preventing Up To $500 Million Being Passed On To Consumers
Washington, D.C. - Governor Matt Blunt signed into law HB209, which protects affordable access to wireless services for over 3 million Missouri consumers by capping local wireless taxes.
“The Governor’s signature protects 3 million Missourians from higher local taxes on their wireless service,” said Kim Kuo, Executive Director of MyWireless.org, a new consumer advocacy organization. “This is particularly important to families and small businesses with modest budgets.”
According to media reports, efforts by municipalities across Missouri to raise higher taxes on wireless services could have ended up costing consumers as much as $500 million. Many of these tax increases would have raised revenues for entirely unrelated services without even taking the tax increase before voters.
Widespread opposition by Missouri consumers was a major factor in getting HB209 to the Governor’s desk. Thousands of wireless consumers across Missouri made their voices heard in House and Senate offices in support of HB 209.
“When wireless consumers band together to keep wireless service accessible and affordable, they have tremendous clout with policymakers,” continued Kuo. “MyWireless.org will continue to help bring wireless users together to make their voices heard on issues across the nation.”
There is still more work to be done to keep wireless services affordable and accessible. All wireless users in Missouri are urged to go to www.MyWireless.org – an informational and interactive Web site that allows them to learn more about wireless issues in Missouri and nationally, to voice their support or opposition to proposed wireless taxes and regulations by directly contacting policymakers, to read about the latest wireless developments, and to help promote the innovation, affordability, and accessibility of wireless services.