California Considers Plan to Tax Text Messages
 

The California Public Utilities Commission may vote to approve taxing text messages next month as a means of collecting additional funding for "public telecommunications programs like the 911 service and subsidized phone rates for low-income Californians." They estimate the tax would cost consumers an additional $1.40 per $20 of texting charges. Critics say the state already has enough cash. "Taxing texts isn't just regressive, it's also unnecessary. The state is flush with cash, while ordinary Californians are struggling. The idea of increasing taxes on anything right now is absurd," state Assembly member Marie Waldron, a Republican from north of San Diego, said. The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, a trade organization whose members include companies like AT&T, T-Mobile USA and Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, told NBC News they oppose the measure, as well.

http://www.hardocp.com/news/2018/12/...text_messages/