TeleCommUnity Sends Letter to Senators Alexander and Carper
in support of S 2084

February 9, 2004

Senators Alexander and Carper:

On behalf of TeleCommUnity, a coalition of cities and counties dedicated to preserving local governments' interests in federal telecommunications policymaking, I write to thank you for your leadership in the debate over Internet access taxation and express our support for your legislation, the "Internet Access Tax Ban Extension and Improvement Act."

In expressing our support for your legislation we hope to make clear that local governments do not seek to tax e-mail, as some would have the public believe. We are simply opposed to expanding the types of services and companies that would be exempt from taxes as proposed in S. 150. Your bill provides government, industry and consumers with a sensible solution, as opposed to the permanent confusion promised by S. 150.

We agree with Senator Alexander’s challenge to his Senate colleagues that unless they want to transfer responsibilities for local schools, colleges, prisons, state parks and roads to Washington D.C, the Congress has no business telling state and local governments how they can pay the bill for legitimate services.

Please call upon me or the TeleCommUnity staff if we may be of further assistance.

Hon. Marilyn J. Praisner
Chair, TeleCommUnity