These questions are culled from phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails sent to Rep. Gallegly's Camarillo, Solvang, and Washington offices. Each week Rep. Gallegly adds another question and answer. Please add your comments.
July 15, 2011
Question: Do you support H.R. 1002, the Wireless Tax Fairness Act?
Answer: I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1002, which was introduced by Representative Zoe Lofgren of California on March 10. This bill would impose a temporary five-year moratorium on any new discriminatory wireless taxes or fees. The bill would not change current taxes or fees on wireless services.
I support H.R. 1002 because over the past 10 years we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people who use wireless technology for telephone and broadband Internet services. Unfortunately, state and local taxes continue to drive up the cost of these services. Wireless consumers pay more than 16 percent of their bills for taxes and fees, which is more than twice the average rate of 7.4 percent on other goods and services.
On July 14, the House Judiciary Committee, of which I am a senior member, considered H.R. 1002. During debate, Representative Lofgren introduced an amendment which would allow voters to approve modifications or increases in wireless taxes. This amendment was adopted by voice vote. The Judiciary Committee then voted to approve the bill, also by voice vote.
The next step for H.R. 1002 is consideration by the full House of Representatives.
For more information on my economic positions, please see my Key Topics: Economy page.
For previous Questions of the Week chronologically and by topic, please see my Questions of the Week page.
Dear Congressman Gallegly;
Thank you for your support the moratorium on ADDITIONAL fees or taxes on wireless communications.
It is also the sincere hope of my husband and myself that you were one of the 200+ members who passed the cut, cap , and balance bill in the House. We believe that you are based on previous correspondence with you. Our concern now is for the future. We must stand together and hold all members of both Houses of our government, as well as the President, accountable to the Constitution and to the good faith that led to their election as representatives of our American republic. In addition, DEFUND Obama Care!
We are angry with the blatant disrespect for our Constitution, for our way of life, and for the realities that the American people now deal with daily. To raise the debt ceiling is a reprehensible act which end only in utter chaos economically. We cannot and will not SPEND- SPEND- SPEND and live beyond our income AND we cannot give a hungry Central government all the money it wants. As one of the most generous nations on earth, we will not be lectured to by our leaders (of any party) of how we are mean spirited and selfish because we do not / are not willing to give ENOUGH to others. Or about how we do not have the moral courage to do what is right. In case, you haven't noticed, my husband and I are very calmly LIVID about the gamesmanship/ "business as usual" in the national government. We are also aware and angry about Obama's ongoing ability to overstep Constitutional restraints and Congressional authority, apparently without accountability.
Please ...do all that you can to end the spending spree, do not compromise, stand firm, and follow through with all that cut, cap, and balance means in its entirety...TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION....AND THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION. PROTECT AND DEFEND OUR HERITAGE!
Thank you...