Taxing Cable TV
The Times published a letter (May 20) from Eileen Padberg criticizing cable television rates and the service that cable companies provide to consumers.
What was not identified was that Ms. Padberg is the political campaign manager of County Assessor Brad Jacobs. The cable industry has sued Mr. Jacobs as a result of his discriminatory and unconstitutional method of taxing the cable industry. The method of assessment applied by Ms. Padberg’s client is more akin to an income tax than any conventional notion of property taxation.
Orange County cable television rates, during the period of 1983 through 1990, for the typical cable consumer who had basic service plus one premium channel, such as HBO, increased only 29.5%. The consumer price increase for Orange County for the period from 1983 through 1989 was 35.4%.
We are disappointed that Ms. Padberg did not properly identify herself and her relationship with Mr. Jacobs when she wrote the letter.
JOHN R. BICKHAM
Western Region President, Paragon Cable
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