Legislative Action Center

Links

State Action Alert - Virginia

Virginia Legislators Considering Legislation to Impose a New Tax on Satellite TV Service    

A new five percent  tax on satellite television service is being considered by the Virginia General Assembly.  The legislation will increase the cost of satellite television service for more than 700,000 Virginia families which is being presented as a reform of telecommunications taxation.

What Can You Do?  

To the proposed tax on satellite television let Governor Mark Warner and state legislators know of your opposition to this action.  State legislators can be contacted during the legislative session by calling 1-800-889-0229 and the Governor can be reached at 804-786-2211.  To determine who your elected official is as well as get additional information visit:

http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform .

Talking Points:

·        Satellite television consumers would be unfairly discriminated by the tax.  Since cable providers use the state's infrastructure, they pay a franchise fee.  Satellites in space provide satellite television subscribers their service.  And satellite television does not hang wires from telephone poles, require trenches in backyards, or dig up streets.

·        The only way for consumers to receive television service in many rural parts of Virginia is via satellite which on rural Virginia is a New Tax.

·        To the federal government— to provide their services, satellite television providers already pay fees as well as satellite television retailers like all other businesses pay Virginia taxes.

For Information on other states considering unfair satellite taxes visit:  Fight Unjust Satellite Taxes In

1.      Arkansas

2.      Arizona

3.      California

4.      Kentucky

5.      Utah

 

 

Back to the American Voice Institute of Public Policy Home Page