Communications

We write in support of the draft Third Report and Order on the implementation of Section 621 of the Cable Act and urge its adoption at the Commission’s August open meeting.

Bartlett D. Cleland, research fellow with the Institute for Policy Innovation, said the FCC “needs to establish a continuous supply of spectrum via auctions, on a schedule that will provide a regular flow of low, mid and high bands of spectrum. They must keep unlicensed bands open and available as well.”

During a panel discussion hosted by Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, research group president Tom Giovanetti said there’s no conflict between asking the FCC to limit local cable regulators’ authority and advocating for smaller government.

The FCC seeks to “limit municipal greed” with a “pro-consumer move” that “simply enforces the intention of federal law to limit the financial demands municipalities can make of cable providers,” wrote IPI president Tom Giovanetti. Some cities place a franchise fee on internet services, prohibited by the Internet Tax Freedom Act, he said: “When government imposes on companies, they end up being passed along” to consumers “in the form of higher prices.” 

It’s unclear how the new ruling will effect smaller sellers, but Institute for Policy Innovation president Tom Giovanetti is in the camp of those that sees it as a big problem for them.

“In today’s Wayfair decision, the Supreme Court overturned 25 years of its own precedent and decided that states will be able to assess sales taxes on internet transactions, siding with the state of South Dakota against Wayfair and other online sellers," said IPI president Tom Giovanetti, who also sounded ready to throw some tea overboard.

“The decision leaves e-commerce and especially small sellers extremely vulnerable to states gluttonous for tax revenue particularly from consumers and businesses with no representation in their state,” said Tom Giovanetti, president of the Institute for Policy Innovation.

“The decision leaves e-commerce and especially small sellers extremely vulnerable to states gluttonous for tax revenue particularly from consumers and businesses with no presence in their state,” IPI president Tom Giovanetti said in a statement.

In Thursday’s Wayfair decision, the Supreme Court overturned 25 years of its own precedent and decided that states will be able to assess sales taxes on internet transactions, siding with the state of South Dakota against Wayfair and other online sellers.

If South Dakota wins, all of us may confront tax demands from states and localities we've never visited and have nothing to do with.