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California utilities panel cancels planned 'text tax' ... FCC rules that texting is...
Daily Mail ^ | 16 December 2018 | MAXINE SHEN

Posted on 12/16/2018 7:30:56 PM PST by aquila48

Following a new FCC ruling, the California Public Utilities Commission has ditched its planned 2019 vote on taxing text messaging.

The CPUC revealed on Twitter Friday that it has decided not to go forward with a scheduled January 2019 vote to levy a 'text tax' following the FCC's ruling that text messages were an 'information service' — as opposed to a telecommunications service — meaning that texts aren't eligible for taxation under California state law.

The commission's controversial 'text tax' plans involved a per-text surcharge which would help fund programs that provide cell phone services for low-income and disabled people, as well as those in rural areas, according to Fox News.

The proposed text message tax was apparently being considered because, prior to the FCC's declaratory ruling on December 12, text messaging had not been classified as any kind of specific service under federal law.

But, 'In light of the FCC’s action,' CPUC tweeted Friday, its commissioner, Carla J. Peterman, decided to withdraw the January vote which 'proposed to clarify that text messaging service should be subject to the statutory surcharge requirement.'

California Republican state assemblyman Jim Patterson took to Twitter to rejoice over the commission's statement.

'BREAKING NEWS: The CPUC has cancelled the January vote on the #TextTax! You can bet I’ll keep a watchful eye on them for future shenanigans. For now...consider the Text Tax cancelled,' Patterson tweeted Saturday.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: 1stamendment; california; communications; fcc; firstamendment; taxes; tedlieu; texting
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They're probably thankful the FCC rescued them from their own stupidity.

Even the CA libtards would have gone yellow jackets over this.

1 posted on 12/16/2018 7:30:56 PM PST by aquila48
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To: aquila48

Bump


2 posted on 12/16/2018 7:36:43 PM PST by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!)
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To: aquila48

Why do they feel bound by the state constitution?


3 posted on 12/16/2018 7:37:34 PM PST by null and void (We live in interesting times, but nobody's interested.)
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To: aquila48

The idea of taxing texts will very likely come back in the near future. It was dropped like a hot potato for now, sort of like Macron reducing newly raised taxes in France. Anything to let the citizens simmer down and start looking elsewhere.

The notion of increasing the number of Toll Roads or taxing as per miles driven resurfaces every so often too.
Just another colorful trial balloon shot down for the time being by observant taxpayers.


4 posted on 12/16/2018 7:38:37 PM PST by lee martell (AT)
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To: aquila48

FCC’s ruling that text messages were an ‘information service’ — as opposed to a telecommunications service


A distinction without a difference.


5 posted on 12/16/2018 7:42:11 PM PST by sparklite2 (See more at Sparklite Times)
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To: All

Amazing what forty million messages will do ...


6 posted on 12/16/2018 7:42:28 PM PST by rayincolorado ("Those who forget the past, are condemned to repeat it ...")
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To: aquila48

Well, well, well, you mean the sanctuary state can’t confiscate more wealth to redistribute to people who have not earned it, and don’t deserve it? what a damn shame.


7 posted on 12/16/2018 7:43:13 PM PST by Fungi
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To: Jim Robinson

Nice...


8 posted on 12/16/2018 7:44:57 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (MAGA!!!)
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To: aquila48

No, the California voters are fine with anything bordering stupidity.

The legislature will probably make the Text tax a ballot measure like they did freeing prisoners.

The voters also just approved keeping their insane gas tax.

There is no low bar for these fools.


9 posted on 12/16/2018 7:45:54 PM PST by jcon40 (The other post before yours really nails it for me. I have been a DOithS / PC guy forever and alway)
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To: Fungi

It’s awful what they get away with, but it serves the majority of Californians right to be taxed out of sight, for voting for these whackjobs. For those citizens who did NOT vote for them, you have my sympathy. It must be awful for you to have to watch your beautiful state being overrun with snakes and skunks.


10 posted on 12/16/2018 7:50:28 PM PST by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: lee martell

“Just another colorful trial balloon shot down for the time being by observant taxpayers.”

Not taxpayers but Trump’s FCC!


11 posted on 12/16/2018 7:54:24 PM PST by aquila48
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To: Flaming Conservative
Don't forget porcupines, coyotes, Amanita virosa,, and vegans who oppose foie gras, and last but not least, Moonbeam.
12 posted on 12/16/2018 7:54:58 PM PST by Fungi
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To: sparklite2

Legally, untrue.


13 posted on 12/16/2018 7:55:07 PM PST by MortMan (Satan was merely the FIRST politician who pretended to speak for God.)
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To: Fungi
The commission's controversial 'text tax' plans involved a per-text surcharge which would help fund programs that provide cell phone services for low-income ...

Don't the "poor" get funding from the Feds' Algor (second phone line) Tax?

14 posted on 12/16/2018 7:55:46 PM PST by Calvin Locke
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To: MortMan

what is the difference?


15 posted on 12/16/2018 8:00:03 PM PST by sparklite2 (See more at Sparklite Times)
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To: aquila48

That’s true.
I wasn’t sure what organization would have made this happen.


16 posted on 12/16/2018 8:01:57 PM PST by lee martell (AT)
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To: aquila48

The commission won’t always have a conservative majority. When that changes, and it probably will some day, look out.


17 posted on 12/16/2018 8:13:55 PM PST by HighSierra5
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To: aquila48

Well thats it then, they better change the law. Cant let that revenue stream get away.


18 posted on 12/16/2018 8:14:12 PM PST by Husker24
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To: aquila48
Turn on the sound.

Press button

19 posted on 12/16/2018 8:14:26 PM PST by Enterprise
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To: aquila48
If they ever drag this stupid tax out again, what’s to stop people from changing their address to a neighboring state and paying their bill online.

Politicians love it when they make businesses their tax collection arm.

There is a hidden tax or more than one tax on everything. The government makes more off your cell phone line than Verision does. Same with a pack of cigarettes.

20 posted on 12/16/2018 8:16:04 PM PST by Newbomb Turk (Hey Newbomb, where is your bothers ElCamino ?)
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