According to a recent study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation , 84 percent of their Main Street communities consider Internet usage a key factor in small-business growth. Mom-and-Pop, bricks-and-mortar businesses are looking for innovative new ways to incorporate it into their business models.

This week, the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce presented its report to Congress. Now, congressional leaders must determine the course of action that would provide consumers with the full benefits of the high-tech economy. Unfortunately, state and local politicians are raising taxes on American consumers and forcing small businesses off the Internet. They use scare tactics and half-truths to promote an agenda that would lead to higher taxes and more government spending.

This week, while many Americans were focused on the Internet tax debate in our nation's capital, Iowa Legislators were working on an Internet tax debate of their own. The Iowa House passed legislation to protect consumers from the grips of state and local tax collectors. More information about this development and about Iowa CSE can be found here. Unfortunately, while activists fight to repeal stone-age regulations, bureaucrats are on the lookout for loopholes and innovative new theories to tax the latest communications technologies.

Yesterday was a big day in the history of telecommunications. On March 30, 1876 Alexander Graham Bell made the fist telephone call. Countless schoolchildren have memorized his first message, "Watson come here. I need you." Over the last 124 years, the telephone has gone from being a curiosity, to a luxury item, to a common, everyday method of communication.

Regrettably, the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce has failed in its mission to provide guidance to Congress. Because of a few pro-tax commissioners who were adamant in their determination to raise taxes on consumers, the commission walked away without a recommendation.

Oregon members must keep the pressure on Commissioner Jones to support extension of tax moratorium.

Oregon members must keep the pressure on Commissioner Jones to support extension of tax moratorium.

CSE activists across America have been voicing their views to politicians at all levels -- from the presidential candidates to local mayors -- that they are opposed to the various schemes that have been put forward to place discriminatory taxes on the Internet. Taxes already apply to e-commerce the same as they apply to catalogue and mail order sales. The Internet is the driving force behind the best economy in American history and taxing the Internet only threatens this success.

"I am for those means which will give the greatest good to the greatest number." – Abraham Lincoln, February 12, 1861 Introduction Mr. Chairman, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to share my views on H.R. 3011 and H.R. 3022 – the Truth in Telephone Billing Act, and the Rest of the Truth in Telephone Billing Act. Both pieces of proposed legislation share a single attribute. Namely, public policy should not impede the flow of information so that consumers can make the best decisions possible.

After meeting with the nation's governors for two hours yesterday, President Clinton told them that states should be responsible for solving the Internet tax "problem." A White House spokesman immediately clarified the president's position and explained that the president is opposed to any discriminatory taxes on the Internet or taxes on Internet access. We say, good for him. Pernicious Internet access taxes already increase the cost of getting online. Just to mention a couple, there is the multi-billion dollar Gore tax and the federal excise tax on telecommunications services.