AgdaPkt 2003-12-01 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

__4 A- Co NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE EXPANSION OF THE INTERNET TAX MORATORIUM (S.150/H.R.49) The latest.... Action on the Internet Tax Non- Specific Talking Points for Senator Boxer Discrimination Act (S. 150) continues this week and Phor, 202.224.3553 (DC office) -Karen Olick, Chief cities can still make a difference by contacting Sena- of Stai : 415.403.0100 (District office) -Sam tors Boxer and Feinstein BY PHONE. Chapman, Chief of Staff. The current moratorium is set to expire on Friday, October 31 st and the primary sponsors of the bill, Senators Ron Wyden (D -Or.) and George Allen (R -Va.) have been working over the past several weeks to line up the votes necessary to secure the legislation's passage. Cities have fought back however, and their steadfast opposition to the harmful provisions in the bill helped a handful of Senators delay action on the bill until local government concerns have been legitimately addressed. In response to the vigorous opposition mounted by local governments against the changes S. 150 makes to current law, Senators Wyden and Allen offered an amendment to the bill last week, which unfortunately still falls short of changing the definition of Internet access. Without this change, the language in the legislation continues to unnecessarily expand the scope of the existing Internet tax moratorium. As you know, this broad expansion of the definition in current law preempts collection of gross receipts, franchise fees, rights -of -way, and other telecommunications fees, which will hinder local government's financial capacity to provide essential services, including critical police and fire response service. **TAKE ACTION " Since negotiations on the underlying bill have failed, we are asking you to CALL Senators Feinstein and Boxer and urge them to support the Voinovich/ Hollings Compromise Amendment, which provides for a simple extension of the moratorium through 2005. Key Messages about the Hollings Compromise Amendment to S. 150: - It wld preserve local and state authority over existing taxes and fees that are currently collected; and • It would NOT create or allow state and local governments to impose any new taxes on Internet access. • It would provide Congress with sufficient time to consider the complex issues associated with extending the moratorium in such a way that treats all technolo- gies and local agencies in a fair and balanced manner. Message Although cities have contacted Senator Boxer's office, the message that this unnec- essary expansion of the definition of Internet Access has failed to resonate with Senator Boxer's staff. Her staffer on the issue, Danny Sepulveda, has definitively stated that he does not view any exten- sion of the current moratorium as a compromise. We need to keep the pressure on Senator Boxer's office to consider supporting the Hollings Compro- mise Amendment, particularly when communities in Southern California are experiencing first hand the critical role public safety services play. Specific Talkina Points for Senator Feinstein Phone: 202.224.3841 (DC office) -Mark Kadesh, Chief of Staff. Messaae Senator Feinstein remains sympa- thetic to League concerns about the extent to which the expanded definition of Internet access could undermine local government's financial capacity to provide critical services - particularly essential police and fire services! We're asking cities to let Senator Feinstein know that we appreciate her understand- ing local concerns with this bill. Urge her to cospon- sor the Voinovich /Hollings Compromise Amendment or at a minimum to vote in favor of its adoption. For additional information contact Jessica Mullan at (916) 658 -8243. DESTINY from page 3 ' ' ' • ' ' Mayor Fred Mackenbach and Mayor pro Tern Joseph Sherwood who announced that at their Sept. 23rd council meeting, the Palos Verdes Estates City Council had passed a resolution sup- porting the concepts of the ballot measure. Hendrickson serves as one of the Los Angeles County liaisons to the City Managers Department Ballot Initiative Steering Committee. Immediately following a presentation, Wallace met with Board members of the Palos Verdes Estates Police Officer Association. Hendrickson and P.V.E. Police Chief Timm Browne arranged the meeting for Wallace and selected a location off site from city property. PAGE 6 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org