WASHINGTON-The mobile-phone industry is backing a bill in the Missouri legislature to raise wireless taxes in exchange for eventually capping the tax at 3 percent and eliminating a slew of suits filed by municipalities to collect back taxes from cell-phone operators.
The mobile-phone industry faces new state and local taxes across the country, but in most cases wireless carriers are fighting-in many cases, in court-to turn back wireless fees. Not so in Missouri where the wireless industry has funded a media campaign supporting the measure.
“I would like the litigation to stop litigation,” said Rep. Shannon Cooper (R ).
The state House passed the Cooper bill last week. The measure goes to a Senate panel next week and then to the Senate floor.
