2003 Senate Resolution 18
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: memorializing Congress to immediately and permanently prohibit any state from imposing a tax on Internet access.
Whereas, the emergence of the Internet as a means of communication has profoundly influenced our society and will pave the way for the global marketplace; and
Whereas, Wisconsin is one of only 8 states that imposes a sales tax on Internet access, thereby putting Wisconsin companies that conduct business over the Internet at a competitive disadvantage; and
Whereas, the U.S. department of commerce has estimated that wealthy Americans are 20 times more likely to have Internet access, while Hispanics and African Americans are far less likely to have Internet access; and
Whereas, there is a growing "digital divide" between those citizens able to access the technology of the new economy and those who cannot; and
Whereas, increased access to the Internet will create jobs and contribute to economic development; and
Whereas, taxing access to the Internet will make access to the Internet less affordable and therefore less available; and
Whereas, taxing Internet access contributes to this condition and unfairly burdens citizens who are least able to afford Internet access; and
Whereas, the Wisconsin legislature has previously voted to repeal the state's sales tax on Internet access thus demonstrating its commitment to making sure that Wisconsin is on the leading edge of this new technology and providing incentives for even more access and creative use of the Internet; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, That the members of the Wisconsin senate memorialize Congress to pass legislation that will immediately and permanently prohibit any state from imposing a tax on access to the Internet; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this resolution to the governor, to each member of the Wisconsin congressional delegation, to the president and vice president of the United States, to each member of the president's cabinet, and to the secretary of the U.S. senate and clerk of the U.S. house of representatives.
