CSE Key Vote Urges Passage of S. 150, the Internet Tax Freedom Act

CSE sent this KEY VOTE NOTICE to the U.S. Senate on March 22, 2004.

Dear Senator:

Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) and its 360,000 members urge the U.S. Senate to VOTE YES and pass the “Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act of 2003” (S. 150). This bill would make permanent the expired ban on Internet access taxes and multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. S. 150’s permanent ban would protect consumers, prompt investment, and spur innovation.

Alternatively, S. 2084 “The Internet Tax Ban Extension and Improvement Act”, a substitute bill offered by Senators Carper and Alexander is merely a legislative ruse offered by two opponents of the permanent moratorium. S. 2084 is a temporary extension and favors some broadband technologies over others. Sen. Alexander tries to hide behind a phony version of federalism, but establishing a national policy on Internet taxation is the quintessential exercise of the commerce power granted to Congress by the Constitution. CSE urges you to oppose S. 2084 and to support passage of S. 150.

The need for S. 150 is urgent. Permitting states and localities to enact a hodgepodge of new taxes would damage our economic growth and increase the digital divide between Americans who have Internet access and those who don’t. S. 150 updates and makes permanent the ITFA in ways that ensure all methods of Internet access—dial-up, DSL, cable, satellite, or wireless—are covered by the moratorium. By permanently ending Internet access taxes, S. 150 is a responsible step towards making sure all Americans can afford to reap the benefits of the Information Age.

CSE will count the vote on S. 150 as a KEY VOTE, used in calculating the CSE Economic Scorecard. The CSE Economic Scorecard is used to determine eligibility for the Jefferson Award, which recognizes Senators with voting records that support economic freedom.

Respectfully,

Paul Beckner, President
Citizens for a Sound Economy
www.cse.org