Dear Senator
Allen:
I am writing
to express the Center for Individual Freedoms strong support for
your legislation to make permanent the moratorium on multiple and
discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce and taxes on Internet
access.
Despite recent
setbacks in the technology industry, the Internet remains a remarkable
resource for information and expanded commerce essential to individual
freedom and a vibrant economy. Yet, now more than ever, it is susceptible
to creative tax schemes by many of the nations governors and state
legislators recklessly in search of new tax revenue to help cure
their ongoing budget crises. A permanent moratorium would protect
the Internet and electronic commerce from such over-burdensome and
discriminatory taxes, enabling it to grow and thrive as a tool for
education, opportunity and commerce.
Furthermore,
the Center applauds your efforts to repeal current taxes on Internet
access in those states that were grandfathered when Congress originally
passed the Internet Tax Freedom Act in 1998. This provision in
your legislation will help bridge the digital divide by enabling
thousands of low-income consumers to access the Internet and help
to ensure they benefit from all the opportunities it provides.
The Center for
Individual Freedom is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with
the mission to protect individual freedoms and rights in the legal,
legislative and educational arenas. As free-market advocates, we
oppose over-burdensome state and federal regulations and tax regimes
that will impede the evolution of electronic commerce.
With the current
moratorium set to expire on November 1, the Center is committed
and looks forward to working with you and your staff to ensure swift
passage of the legislation.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Mazzella
Sr. Vice President, Legislative Affairs
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