Big news folks! The House version of the ‘Wireless Tax Fairness Act’ (H.R. 2309) now has 218 bipartisan cosponsors which is a majority of members in the House of Representatives (218 of 435). In these days of gridlock in Washington, that’s an encouraging development
The ‘Wireless Tax Fairness Act’ stands as an example of an issue where elected officials from all corners of the political spectrum can come together in impressive agreement. Wireless consumers are discriminately burdened with more than 17% combined state, local and federal wireless taxes and fees on average - more than double the average sales tax rate of about 7% paid on other goods or services. These types of taxes and fees are regressive; hitting seniors, minority communities, working families and small businesses especially hard. The last thing we should be doing in a time of economic recovery is hurt those who need relief the most.
A recent article in U.S. News & World Report does a great job of highlighting the issue and of explaining how wireless service is unfairly targeted in states and localities across the country. With increases in wireless taxes and fees not as visible to constituents as say hikes in income, property, or general sales taxes they are seen as an ideal source for filling state and local coffers.
Luckily the ‘Wireless Tax Fairness Act’ introduced by Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Trent Franks (R-AZ) in the House of Representatives and Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) in the Senate, would put a freeze on any new discriminatory state or local wireless taxes and fees for five years, providing wireless consumers with a much-needed break from even higher taxes and fees, and a window to develop a tax and fee structure that is fair and sensible.
The Senate version of the bill (S. 1235) is at 14 cosponsors and climbing, and the next big hurdle is to get these bills through their respective committees, introduced on the House and Senate floors and finally passed. Together I know we can make that happen! Contact your Senators and Representative and tell them to support the ‘Wireless Tax Fairness Act’ today, becoming a cosponsor if they aren’t already, and pass this much needed legislation!
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