HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1998.09.03 - 25548•
September 3, 1998
REPORT lMisc. #98181)
BY: GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE - NANCY DINGELDEY,
CHAIRPERSON
IN RE: MR #98181 - HIDDEN TAXES IN TELEPHONE BILLS
TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The General Government Committee, having reviewed the above
referenced resolution on August 24, 1998, reports with the
recommendation that the resolution be adopted.
Chairperson, on behalf of the General Government Committee, I
move the acceptance of the foregoing Report.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
General Government Committee Vote:
Motion carried on unanimous roll call vote.
Miscellaneous Resolution # 98181
BY: Nancy Dingeldey, John P. Garfield, JoAnne Holbert, Rue! E. McPherson, Kay Schmid,
Shelley G. Taub, Donn L. Wolf
RE: HIDDEN TAXES IN TELEPHONE BILLS
TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission through the Telecommunications Act
of 1996 established the Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Access Charge Reform; and
WHEREAS, the USF was originally established to ensure that all Americans have access to
affordable telephone service; and
WHEREAS, beginning January 1, 1998, assessments for the USF also provide funding to
connect eligible schools, libraries and rural health care prol, iders to the global telecommunications
network; and
WHEREAS, contributions for the original high cost/low income fund are based on individual
charges for interstate and international calls while the new Schools, Libraries and Health Care Fund
assessments are based on charges for interstate, international and intrastate calls; and
WHEREAS, FCC regulated access fees substantially exceed the costs they were designed
to cover -- that of "universal" service -- the policy of setting basic phone rates low enough so that
all Americans could have a telephone; and
WHEREAS, this covert tax to fund universal service, now estimated to be more than $20
billion a year, has no requirements for accountability and may run as high as 50% more than actual
costs of providing service; and
WHEREAS, if revenue is to be collected from consumers for any kind of universal service,
to subsidize or provide discounted services, the fee should be set and collected as a federal tax, not
a hidden tax called "subscriber fees" or "access fees"; and
WHEREAS, accountability and use of such funds must be required to fulfill the promise of
the Telecommunications Act of 1996 -- that being one of true competition and lower rates.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
urges that all necessary steps be taken to protect the consuming public from providing additional
profit margins to operating telephone companies under the guise of access fees.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Michigan
Association of Counties and that the National Association of County Officials make this issue part
of its platform calling for Congress to take the necessary steps to protect the consuming public from
such hidden charges.
Chairman,ve move the adoption of the foregoix, resolution.
Cl
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Resolution #98181 August 6, 1998
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The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government
Committee. There were no objections.
Resolution #98181 September 3, 1998
Moved by Dingeldey supported by Schmid :he General Government Committee
Report be accepted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the report was accepted.
Moved by Dingeldey supported by Schmid the resolution be adopted.
AYES: Gregory, Hoffman, Holbert, Huntoon, Jacobs, Jensen, Johnson,
Kaczmar, Kingzett, Law, McCulloch, McPherson, Millard, Moffitt, Obrecht, Palmer,
Schmid, Taub, Amos, Coleman, Dingeldey, Douglas, Garfield. (23)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted.
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lynn D. Allen, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the
Oakland County Board of Commissioners on September 3, 1998 with the original
record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the
County of Oakland at Pontiac, Michigan this 3rd day 9f Septemtaex_ 1998. (26N:
h D. Allen, County Clerk