Press Release
MyWireless.orgŪ Applauds Senate
'Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness' Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - National wireless consumer advocacy coalition MyWireless.orgŪ today applauded the leadership of Senator Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Snowe (R-ME) after their introduction of S. 3249, the bipartisan 'Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2008' in the U.S. Senate. This important legislation now joins its House companion bill H.R. 5793, the bipartisan Lofgren-Cannon 'Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008.'
These bills call for a 5-year break from new discriminatory state and local wireless taxes for more than 260 million American wireless consumers. MyWireless.orgŪ thanks Senators Wyden and Snowe for joining Representatives Lofgren (D-CA) and Cannon (R-UT) in supporting much-needed tax relief.
Kimberly Kuo, Executive Director of MyWireless.orgŪ, said, "On average, the American wireless consumer still pays over 15% in combined monthly government taxes, fees and surcharges - more than twice the rate imposed on other competitive goods and services subject to sales tax. In these increasingly uncertain economic times, hundreds of millions of American wireless users now more than ever 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% of wireless consumers favor Congress passing a freeze on unfair new state and local wireless taxes and fees; and 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," 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 Senators Wyden and Snowe for defending wireless users across the country from more unfair and discriminatory taxation. On behalf of the nation's wireless consumers, we look forward to working with them, and with Reps. Lofgren and Cannon, to gain additional cosponsors and to see that this important legislation soon becomes law.
MyWireless.org® is a national non-profit consumer advocacy organization giving wireless consumers a powerful and unified voice to protect the freedom and security they enjoy with wireless services. MyWireless.org® brings together consumers from across the country to protect their wireless rights in their cities, states, and nationally. To learn more, please visit www.MyWireless.org.
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