SR18: Resolution Text

LRB-3359/1

JK:wlj:jf

2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Senate RESOLUTION 18

September 29, 2003 - Introduced by Senators Leibham, Kedzie, Schultz, Roessler, Stepp, Kanavas, Welch, S. Fitzgerald and Zien. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SR18,1,2 Relating to: memorializing Congress to immediately and permanently prohibit any state from imposing a tax on Internet access.

SR18,1,5 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

SR18,1,8 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

SR18,1,11 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

SR18,1,13 Whereas, there is a growing "digital divide" between those citizens able to access the technology of the new economy and those who cannot; and

SR18,1,15 Whereas, increased access to the Internet will create jobs and contribute to economic development; and

SR18,2,2 Whereas, taxing access to the Internet will make access to the Internet less affordable and therefore less available; and

SR18,2,4 Whereas, taxing Internet access contributes to this condition and unfairly burdens citizens who are least able to afford Internet access; and

SR18,2,8 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; and

SR18,2,12 Whereas, H.R. 49, which is entitled the Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act of 2003, has been introduced in the United States house of representatives and will permanently prohibit any state from imposing a tax on access to the Internet; now, therefore, be it

SR18,2,15 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

SR18,2,20 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.

SR18,2,21 (End)