Oklahoma U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford were among those who helped make the first Internet Tax Freedom Act a permanent measure, foregoing the need to renew the ban. Thursday’s vote was 75 to 20 and the measure was sent immediately to President Obama.
The latest measure came nearly two decades after Congress passed the first Internet Tax Freedom Act. There was a slight delay as Congress decided how to resolve some differences. Eventually, the language was added to HR 644, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, which is a bill authorizing funding for Customs and Border Protection.
One of those leading the cause was Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, co-author of the original Tax Freedom Act.
“Internet Tax Freedom saves Oregonians and most Americans hundreds of dollars a year in taxes. There’s no ban on wireless taxes and Americans pay an average 17 percent tax on their mobile service.”
More than a dozen states were allowed to continue charging taxes for online access after the passage of the original law. Until the passage of the bill this week, seven states still collected taxes for going online: Hawaii, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.
Listen to Sen. James Lankford’s brief comments during an interview with OK Energy Today’s Jerry Bohnen.
