Representative Ross Hunter (D-48) has introduced a bill—House Bill 2128—that would clarify rules for state and local retail taxation of cellphone service. Of the four bills already introduced in the house this morning, this is the only one that generates revenue.
Why aren’t the rules already clear? Well, they were written in 1983, so they don’t address newfangled cellular telephones. Long story short: Sprint won a case in state superior court in April arguing that they should be exempt from the retail sales tax. The bill expresses concern that if the state loses the case on appeal, they won’t be able to collect the tax anymore.
In other words, we’re already collecting the tax, but failing to pass the bill could result in losing a shitload of cash. The bill states, “This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.”
The Legislature has never met a tax give-away it didn’t like. The bill will fail.
And isn’t Rep. Hunter the guy looking to give away millions to “save” a corporate sporting arena in Wenatchee? Will this possible revenue cover the bail-out?