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May 23,
2000
Dear Editor:
Most Northern
Californians find the notion of a "tax on talking" to be another example
of big government at its worst. Every year, Americans pay more than $5
billion to Uncle Sam as a result of the 3% telephone excise tax, commonly
marked as "FET" or "Federal Tax" on phone bills. First enacted in 1898 to
fund the Spanish-American War, this "temporary" tax is still impacting
Americans 102 years later.
Thankfully, the days of this outdated
and unnecessary tax are numbered. On May 25, the House of Representatives
is scheduled to vote on the telephone tax repeal. I plan to support this
legislation.
The telephone tax is bad tax policy for several
reasons. First, this tax hits low-income families the hardest, and also
hurts small businesses barely breaking even.
It is a tax which has
lost its purpose, and is simply an excuse for Washington to grab more
hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
Finally, the telephone tax
discourages efforts to remove barriers to the Internet and lower the cost
of telecommunications. Repeal of this tax will provide relief for the 94
percent of American households with phone service, whether they use their
lines for phone, fax, or Internet access.
Northern Californians pay
enough taxes already - they shouldn't be forced to fund a war that ended
102 years ago.
Sincerely,
Wally Herger
Member of
Congress
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