Sacramento is looking to put a text message tax on the ballot this year, and Sacramento residents aren’t happy. In fact, they’re downright pissed.
The city of Sacramento will ask voters to agree to pay local taxes on new technology such as text messaging and phone service offered over the Internet in exchange for lowering taxes for land-line phones and other utilities.
On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously voted to put a measure on the Nov. 4 ballot that would decrease the utility users tax from 7.5 percent to 7 percent. It would require a simple majority to pass.
Two main factors are driving the action: First, the city’s ability to collect taxes on cell phones and other communications methods is facing legal challenges. Second, taxes on old technology, such as regular telephones, are generating less revenue.
The City Council could use a few lessons in business management and proper use of finances. If a business experiences lower revenues, it has to make spending adjustments accordingly. Apparently, the government is not capable of such actions.
After reading through the comments, I’m confident I’m not alone with this frame of mind.
About eric:
Eric Odom is project manager for Blogivists.com. A web strategist by trade, Odom is currently working to develop infrastructure for activists within the liberty movement.
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5 Responses to “U can haz taxes on ur txtings”
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Absolutely. Much more important to keep something tax-free than do a trade-off, even if the trade-off were to save you more money immediately. But in the long run? It’s a slippery slope that leads solely to permanent and ever-increasing taxation. Better to not let it happen in the first place.
I have heard the same thing for France, where I live, but I really think the people would take to the streets for something as silly as an SMS tax.
In France the kids strike for anything, but this time they would have my support.
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[...] ERIC ODOM for this one. Sacramento is asking voters to pay taxes on text messaging in exchange for lower taxes on land-lines. Next week, the city plans on asking every voter to trade 3 shiny new quarters for 1 old [...]
Well put. So when do we find out the government wants to tax e-mails, too?
[...] U can haz taxes on ur txtings Thank ERIC ODOM for this one. Sacramento is asking voters to pay taxes on text messaging in exchange for lower taxes on land-lines. Next week, the city plans on asking every voter to trade 3 shiny new quarters for 1 stinking ole’ dollar. No Comments, Comment or Ping [...]