Telecommies

On Tuesday a bill to ban new cell phone taxes was introduced into the House. Rep. Lofgren (CA-16) led the bill as the sponsor, with seven cosponsors: Cannon (UT-3); Chabot (OH-1); Cohen (TN-9); Eshoo (CA-14); Keller (FL-8); Meeks (NY-6); and Sensenbrenner (WI-5).

A press release from Rep. Logren’s office explains:

Today, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced the bi-partisan, pro-consumer “Cell Tax Fairness Act,” which provides for a 5-year moratorium on any new discriminatory wireless tax or fee. A typical consumer already pays 15.19% in federal, state, and local taxes on their cell phone bill as compared to 7.07% for most other taxable goods and services. Between January 2003 and July 2007, the effective rate of taxation on wireless service increased four times faster than the rate for other taxable goods and services. The bill does not disturb current state and local taxes on wireless service. (more)

Continually mounting cellphone taxes are a major grip of mine. My cell phone taxes have gone from $2 to well over $10 a month. I’m glad someone’s addressing it.

Cell phones are not a “luxury” utility.