We need your help!

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Did you know California is proposing to tax your text messaging?

On Thursday, December 13th, the CPUC will hold a hearing regarding the creation of a California-only tax on text messaging. For more information click here.

This proposal would cost California wireless consumers tens of millions of dollars annually.

We are requesting your help in sending the attached letter in opposition by Friday December 7th 2018 following the instructions below:

1. Insert e-mail Subject Line: Public Comments re: OIR 17-06-023

2. Insert full name, organization name and signature (see highlighted in yellow at bottom of the letter)

3. Email the signed letter to:

[email protected]

4. Letter can be sent in the body of the email or attached as a PDF.

5. Please BCC or send me a copy of the electronic copy of the letter

Thank you for your support in stopping this "text tax" proposal. Let me know if you have any questions.

Laurel Brent-Bumb A.C.E.

Chief Executive Officer

530 621 5885

copy and paste into a word document or the body of your email.

Attachment Letter

November 26, 2018

President Michael Picker

Commissioner Carla J. Peterman

Commissioner Liane M. Randolph

Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves

Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen

Executive Director Alice Stebbins

The California Public Utilities Commission

505 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94102

RE: (Rulemaking 17-06-023) Order Instituting Rulemaking to Consider Whether Text Messaging Services are Subject to Public Purpose Program Surcharges

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing to you today regarding a proposal by Commissioner Peterman that would create a new and unprecedented California-only tax on text messaging. This additional tax on text messaging would increase wireless bills for tens of millions of Californians.

California consumers with a mobile phone are already paying the majority of the state Public Purpose Program fees and taxes, so this additional tax on text messaging would effectively be a double tax on the same consumers for the same programs. This proposed text tax would place the burden of funding Public Purpose Programs disproportionately on wireless consumers that regularly use text messaging.

This proposal would harm not just a large majority of California’s residents, but could also disproportionately harm lower income Californians as adults living in poverty and near poverty are more likely be living in households with only wireless phones.

California households cannot afford higher wireless bills or a tax on text messaging, which is an important way for individuals to stay connected with their families, friends, and coworkers in today’s modern society.

While the CPUC’s Public Purpose Programs do play an important role in advancing communications in California, this text tax proposal is not the right policy for our state.

I strongly urge the Commission to vote NO on the text tax.

Respectfully,

[INSERT: FULL NAME, ORGANIZATION NAME, SIGNATURE]

Thank you! We appreciate your time!