Press Release
NEW CONSUMER ADVOCACY COALITION KICKS OFF GRASSROOTS EFFORT TO ROLL BACK EXCESSIVE WIRELESS TAXES IN PENNSYLVANIAWashington, D.C. - MyWireless.org, a consumer advocacy non-profit organization, is kicking off a campaign to educate and mobilize Pennsylvania’s more than 6 million cell phone users to actively support the repeal of Pennsylvania’s 5% Gross Receipts Tax on wireless service, which comes on top of already high wireless taxes and does nothing to improve cell phone service for consumers. Just today, State Senator Rob Wonderling introduced a companion bill to the House bill already proposed by State Representative Mario Scavello to repeal the Gross Receipts Tax, which was imposed on wireless services last year. These bills have been co-sponsored by 90 members of the State House and Senate.
“Cell phone users in Pennsylvania already pay nearly 20% in taxes every month on their cell phone bills. Pennsylvania ranks 8th highest in the nation for wireless taxes, with over $9 of the average monthly bill going toward taxes, fees and costs of government mandates,” said Kimberly Kuo, Executive Director of MyWireless.org. “The state’s Gross Receipts Tax on wireless does nothing to improve the quality of consumers’ cell phone services, and actually funds programs completely unrelated to their cell phone service.”
Cell phone users in Pennsylvania were already paying 6% in sales tax on cell phone services, plus other federal and local taxes and fees, before the additional 5% Gross Receipts Tax was imposed last year.
“MyWireless.org is a growing community of wireless users who have the information and tools at their fingertips to make their voices heard with their representatives,” continued Kuo. “There are more than 6 million Pennsylvanians who use their cell phones every day for work, to stay connected to family and friends, or to get help in emergencies. We want to make sure no one is taxed out of being able to afford the security, convenience and productivity wireless provides.”
Cell phone users are urged to visit www.MyWireless.org -- an informational and interactive Web site that allows them to learn more about wireless issues in Pennsylvania 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.