Extension of Internet tax ban endorsed

The Senate has approved legislation extending for seven years a moratorium on state Internet access taxes.

With only days left before the Internet tax ban was set to expire, the Senate reached a compromise between lawmakers who proposed a shorter extension and those who insisted it should be made permanent.

“By keeping the Internet tax-free and affordable, Congress can encourage Internet use for distance learning, telemedicine, commerce and other important services,” said Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska).

The vote came about two weeks after the House of Representatives approved a four-year extension of the Internet tax ban. The two chambers must work out their differences on the bill before a final version can be approved and signed by President Bush.

On Friday, Bush listed the Internet tax ban extension among tasks that Congress had failed to accomplish. “I urge Congress to keep the Internet tax-free -- and to get a bill to my desk that I can sign,” Bush said.

The state tax ban has been in place since 1998. It was last renewed by Congress in 2004 for three years. It is scheduled to expire on Nov. 1. Internet service providers say the price of Internet access could rise by as much as 17% if the moratorium on state taxes were allowed to expire.

Some senators, including many Republicans, said that a permanent Internet tax ban was needed to spur more investment by broadband providers and complained that Democratic leaders blocked a vote on a permanent moratorium.