Southern York County Life

Thanks to the state government, Pennsylvanians are paying too much for wireless phone service. In Pennsylvania, 20 cents out of every wireless dollar goes to pay for taxes, fees and government mandates.

Pennsylvania State Legislators and the Governor have added a state “Gross Receipts Tax” on wireless – and wireless consumers ultimately pay the high costs of this double tax. Wireless users were already paying a 6% state sales tax on their wireless services, plus other federal and local taxes and fees. The Gross Receipts Tax added another 5% charge on those same wireless services!

Senator Robert Wonderling and Representative Mario Scavello are spearheading efforts to repeal the Pennsylvania Gross Receipts Tax on wireless. To read more AND to let your voice be heard if you want this unfair tax to be repealed, go to

http://www.mywi...ateissuespa/

Here’s an update on the gross receipts tax on our cell phones.  I had written to Stan Saylor and Mike Waugh.  I received the following response from Stan Saylor:

Thank you for your letter concerning the repeal of the gross receipts tax (GRT) on cell phones.

As you know, House Bill 338 proposes to repeal the 5% gross receipts tax on cell phone calls that was enacted on December 22, 2003.  I cosponsored this bill and wholeheartedly support this measure. I will also urge my colleagues to do the same. House Bill 338 was reported from the House Finance Committee. No further action has been scheduled. The companion legislation, Senate Bill 691, is assigned to the Senate Finance Committee. To my knowledge, the Senate has not scheduled this bill for consideration.

I voted against the expanded GRT because I believed that the tax increase was not justified. It is becoming increasingly popular for many individuals, like you, to rely on a cell phone instead of a landline phone. Consequently, your cell phone is a necessity and not a luxury.

Again, I appreciate hearing from you. Be assured of my continued support to repeal the 5% GRT. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

STANLEY E. SAYLOR

An update from mywireless.org:

A step closer to victory! Pennsylvania’s House just voted to repeal the state Gross Receipts Tax on wireless services. This brings us a step closer to ending an unfair and double tax imposed on the people of Pennsylvania who depend on wireless service.

This victory is in large part due to your efforts in letting your representatives know the importance of this issue. Now, we need your help to make sure these lawmakers know you appreciate their actions.

Please send a thank you letter to your state representative, expressing your gratitude for the Pennsylvania House’s vote to repeal this tax.

The Pennsylvania House and its representatives not only recognized what their constituents already knew – that this was unfair double taxation on wireless services – but they also stood up for wireless Pennsylvanians’ rights.

Your elected representatives in the House have represented you well and will continue to give weight to your opinions when they know that you credit their dedicated leadership. Send a thank you letter today by clicking here http://www.mywireless.org/pathankyou/