This is a message posted on another list, but I feel it is of interest to
everyone on the net. One more urban legend created by bored children:
There is a rumor being circulated about email surcharges that would be
collected by the local phone companies and turned over to the Postal Service.
This rumor has no basis in fact. I checked it out at the website of the US
House and found the message below. Anyone can check out any House
legislation by using this URL
http://www.house.gov/house/searchall.htm.
No Postal Internet Tax
There is another rumor spreading on the Internet concerning a supposed
legislation that would impose a 5-cent surcharge by the U.S. Postal Service
on every e-mail delivery.
This is a completely false rumor. There is no such bill pending before
Congress. "Bill 602P" is not a valid bill number, nor is "Congressman
Schnell," the purported author of this bill, a Member of Congress. I have
been assured by the Postal Service that it has never contemplated such
legislation, nor would it support it if it were proposed.
On a related matter, you might be interested to learn that I voted in favor
of H.R. 4105, the Internet Tax Freedom Act. This bill, which passed the
House in June 1998, established a national moratorium on taxes that would
interfere with the free flow of commerce via the Internet. It also
established a national policy against federal and state regulation of
Internet access.
I whole-heartedly support low-cost access to the Internet. I believe the web
is an invaluable educational tool, the use of which needs to be encouraged,
not thwarted by unnecessary charges. If you have any questions, please
contact me. lois.capps(a)mail.house.gov
contact me. lois.capps(a)mail.house.gov