Articles

AOP Legislative Alert
Michele Stewart
1:369/21

AOP Alert 97:14
Friday, September 26, 1997

The following is a legislative alert from the Association of Online Professionals, the primary professional association of Internet Service Providers and other professionals who manage online services. Please give it the widest possible distribution.

Internet Issues Need Your Support

AOP has joined the effort to overturn a tax on Internet and online services in the state of Alabama. The governor and legislature of that state will convene a special session of the legislature to overturn the implementation of the tax in that state. AOP needs to locate ISPs in the state who have an interest in testifying before the legislature on this issue. Alabama ISPs should contact exec@aop.org.

On the Federal level, the Internet Tax Freedom Act now has more than 78 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, but is being blocked in the Senate by Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska. Stevens wants ISPs to be taxed in order to pay for subsidized telephone service in Alaska under the Universal Service Fund. It is imperative that people concerned about the future of the Internet contact Congress in support of the Internet Tax Freedom Act. You may easily do this by visiting http://www.aop.org and clicking on the "Write Congress" button.

Online professionals also need to support the Coble and Ashcroft bills to exempt IPSs from unwarranted lawsuits over copyright. Congress needs to hear from you immediately on this issue. You may easily do this by visiting http://www.aop.org and clicking on the "Write Congress" button.

============= Association of Online Professionals ==============
David P. McClure                           6096-D Franconia Road
Executive Director                          Alexandria, VA 22310
Exec@aop.org(703) 924-5800 Voice
http://www.aop.org                                    (703) 924-5801 Fax
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