Press Release of Rep. Billy Tauzin.
Re: Introduction of e-rate bill.
Date: May 11, 1999.
Source: Office of Rep. Tauzin. This document was created by Tech Law Journal by scanning a paper copy, and converting into HTML.

Tauzin Unveils Plan to Cut Taxes,
Fund Schools and Libraries Program

WASHINGTON (May 11, 1999) -- Vowing to slash federal taxes on telephone bills and at the same time provide stable funding for Internet services for America's schools and libraries, Congressman Billy Tauzin (R-LA), chairman of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee, today introduced legislation that will accomplish both.

In announcing his bill, the "Schools and Libraries Internet Access Act," Tauzin was joined by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT), chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, who plans to offer companion legislation in the Senate, and Congressmen Jerry Weller (R-IL) and Tom Tancredo (R-CO).

According to projected telephone revenues, the Tauzin-Weller bill will cut consumer taxes by $3.8 billion a year and, at the same time, provide $1.9 billion a year for schools and libraries.

"In a nutshell, what we're doing is cutting taxes for nearly everyone in America and providing a stable source of funding for the E-rate program in the process," Congressman Tauzin explained.

"In my opinion, the so-called 'Gore tax' on telephone bills which funds the current program is not constitutional. If critics successfully challenge this program in court, there will be no money, not a single penny, available for Internet services for schools and libraries. This bill guarantees funding for these vitally important educational services," Tauzin added.

The current program continues to be at risk, Tauzin explained, because of these nagging legal questions. "Nowhere in the Constitution is the FCC, nor any other federal agency, given the power to levy, raise or collect taxes. We had a revolt in this country once over taxation without representation. This is a serious Constitutional question, relating to separation of powers. Our bill resolves the problem by paying for the program with an expressed tax approved by Congress."

Here are the highlights of the Tauzin-Weller bill:

• The proposed legislation would slash the current 3 percent federal communications excise tax by two-thirds, saving American consumers an estimated $3.8 billion a year.

• The remaining revenue from the existing excise tax would fund the provision of telecommunications services to schools and libraries envisioned in Section 254 (h) (B) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. In other words, up to $1.9 billion would be expressly dedicated to education.

• Money for the E-rate program would be sent to the states in the form of block grants.

• Consumers would not get soaked with additional new taxes, fees or charges for telecommunications services, saving them still another $2 billion a year.

"What we're talking about is saving consumers approximately $5.8 billion a year and dedicating $1.9 billion to education," Congressman Tauzin continued. "In politics, that's known as a win-win. Our tax cut plan is broad-based. Nearly every family and business in the United States will see a real reduction in the total cost of their telecommunications services."

In addition to chief co-sponsor Congressman Jerry Weller, other supporters of the "Schools and Libraries Internet Access Act" include: Reps. John Shimkus (R-IL), Vito Fossella (R-NY), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Porter Goss (R-FL), Gary Miller (R-CA), John Sununu (R-NH) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

"The bottom line is this," concluded Congressman Tauzin. "We re-establish Congressional control over the schools and libraries program, and we begin phasing out an antiquated tax which disproportionately impacts the poor. That's a common-sense solution to a serious problem."