Home > Gwinnett.talk > Archives > 2007 > September > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIt may be dull, but it matters …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Telecommunications taxation reform could be one of the biggest, dullest issues facing the Georgia Legislature.
Even so, some of the proposals floating around the Gold Dome could, if adopted, have a significant impact on the cost of telephone and cable TV service in Georgia.
State Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), who chaired a committee meeting on the subject last week, said some of these proposals could actually lower those costs.
At issue are franchise fees that local governments impose on telephone and television service providers. Supporters of reform say the current system was created when telephone and television service were distinctly different enterprises.
But now, with telephone companies, wireless service providers and cable television companies all branching into each others’ businesses, such companies pay widely different rates for providing essentially the same services.
The new proposals include requiring satellite TV providers to pay the same fees cable companies do, and creating statewide franchises for telephone companies, instead of requiring them to negotiate with a multitude of local governments.
“They seem to be unrelated proposals, but they’re made in recognition of the fact that technologies have converged,” Shafer said. “And we need a system of taxation and regulation that’s simple and fair.”
Yes, we know. Zzzzzzzzzz.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Gwinnett Insider
Comments
By Bruce Wicox
September 25, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
“And we need a system of taxation and regulation that’s simple and fair.”, that is funny.
By Steve Duncan
September 25, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
What right do they have to tax my satellite dish, it does not use their city/county/state right of way, it uses my airspace above my property. I pay their property taxes. Why should I tolerate another attempt at grabbing some more loot for them to waste. They need to learn to live within the reach of the funds they collect already.
By Chuck
September 25, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Geeee - isn’t BellSouth (AT&T) already robbing us blind in exchange for no service?
By Anti State
September 26, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
Watchout AT&T is at it again! David Shafer is at again! We’ll all get screwed to the wall once again. Franchise fees are user fees (taxes) telecoms pay for use of the public right-of-ways. Those fees are given to local governments as revenue. Why does the state needs to get involved?