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National Consumer Advocacy Coalition Throws Grassroots Support Behind Repeal of PA’s Gross Receipts Tax on Wireless Service


WEBWIRE

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 6 -– MyWireless.org, a national consumer advocacy organization, today joined with Pennsylvania legislators and other consumer groups to support the repeal of the state’s Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) on wireless services, an unfair and excessive tax that ultimately makes wireless services less affordable and accessible for consumers, the group says.

“We intend to wage an aggressive grassroots campaign to educate and mobilize Pennsylvania’s 6 million cell phone consumers to help repeal the Gross Receipts Tax on wireless,” said Kimberly Kuo, executive director of MyWireless.org. “This is a double tax on cell phone service, and consumers ultimately pay the tab. Since other goods and services aren’t double taxed like this, it is unfair for Pennsylvanians who take advantage of the mobility, safety, and productivity that wireless offers. We’re confident that MyWireless.org can help build a great deal of momentum to roll back this unfair and excessive tax.”

Following today’s press conference, MyWireless.org will educate and mobilize Pennsylvania consumers through a wide range of media and grassroots efforts, including radio, online and print advertising, as well as email, mail and phones.

“Pennsylvania’s senior citizens increasingly rely on cell phones to stay connected with family and friends, and as an important safety tool. But they often live on fixed budgets, so they are more heavily impacted by excessive taxes,” said Charlie Jarvis, president of USA Next, a national seniors’ advocacy organization that has joined the MyWireless.org coalition to repeal the GRT. “We will help wireless seniors become active players in favor of repealing the Gross Receipts Tax on wireless and making wireless service more accessible and affordable.”

“Pennsylvania’s Gross Receipts Tax on wireless raises the costs of doing business – without adding benefits. At best, that kind of excessive burden slows the growth and opportunities for minority-owned small businesses that need to tightly control expenses to survive. At worst, it contributes to the failure of too many of these businesses,” said Harry C. Alford, a spokesman for the National Black Chamber of Commerce, a small business advocacy organization that has also joined the MyWireless.org effort to repeal the GRT. “These businesses, the unique consumer groups they serve, and the jobs they create, are all vital to the future of Pennsylvania. They have a clear stake in rolling back these taxes, and we are eager to help them communicate to legislators that it’s time to repeal the Gross Receipts Tax on wireless.”

Consumers are encouraged to visit http://www.MyWireless.org -- a dynamic, interactive Web site that allows wireless users to learn more about wireless issues like Pennsylvania’s Gross Receipts Tax on wireless services and other state and national issues, to voice their support or opposition to proposed wireless taxes and regulations by directly contacting policymakers, to read about the latest wireless developments, and to help promote the innovation, affordability, and accessibility of wireless services.

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MyWireless.org is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to giving wireless consumers a clear and powerful voice to protect the freedom, value, security and mobility they enjoy with wireless services. -- http://www.MyWireless.org



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