House Backs Internet Tax Ban

WASHINGTON - With Rep. Tom Petri's support, the House voted 405 to 2 Tuesday to extend a ban on state and local Internet access taxes for another four years.  The current ban expires Nov. 1.

"The Internet is a vital and still relatively new technology," said Petri.  "We need to continue the expansion of broadband services throughout the country to promote economic growth from the biggest cities to the smallest villages and rural homes.  Taxing those services can only slow that expansion."

In the Senate, similar legislation is tied up in the Commerce Committee where there is controversy over whether a ban should be temporary or permanent."

Of the House legislation, Petri said, "A permanent ban would be better, and that's what I've cosponsored.  But I'm happy for what we have accomplished before the Nov. 1 deadline."