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Keep USF Fair Coalition News Get the latest on Coalition activities! These news releases are posted as soon as they are released to national media outlets so that you can get the news before it even gets published!
New York State Consumers Face Steep $150 Million Phone Tax Hike under "Universal Service Fund" Scheme Pushed by Big Phone Companies
May 22, 2007
The federal "Universal Service Fund" (USF) long-distance phone tax paid by New York State residents would jump from $407 million to an estimated $555 million under a controversial plan backed by Verizon, USTelecom, AT&T and other big phone companies.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_052207.html
Warning for Massachusetts Consumers: Big Phone Companies Pushing More Than $150 Million in Higher Long-Distance Taxes for State
March 8, 2007
You stand to be among the biggest losers in the United States under a widely criticized plan to shift the burden of who pays the federal "Universal Service Fund" (USF) long-distance phone bill tax.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_030807.html
Warning for Michigan Consumers: Big Phone Companies Pushing More Than $150 Million in Higher Long-Distance Taxes for State
January 10, 2007
The wallets of Michigan consumers could be drained of well over $150 million in higher federal “Universal Service Fund” (USF) long-distance phone bill taxes under a major push now being mounted in Washington by Verizon, USTelecom, AT&T, IDT Corporation and other major telephone companies, according to a warning to be issued by the Michigan Consumer Federation and the Keep USF Fair Coalition.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_011007.html
Warning to Florida Consumers: More Than $200 Million Federal Phone Bill Tax Hike for State Now Being Pushed by Phone Companies
November 15, 2006
A warning today for consumers in Florida: You stand to be among the biggest losers in the United States under a widely criticized plan to shift the burden of who pays the federal “Universal Service Fund” (USF) tax on long-distance phone bills.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_111506.html
Shift to Flat Tax for USF Long-Distance Phone Fee Opposed by National Consumers League and Utility Consumer Action Network
September 28, 2006
Two leading U.S. consumer groups - the 107-year-old National Consumers League (NCL) and the Utility Consumer Action Network (UCAN) - are the newest additions to the ranks of the Keep USF Fair Coalition. The Coalition and its members oppose shifting the Universal Service Fund (USF) fee on long-distance phone service to a regressive, anti-consumer flat tax that would be particularly burdensome to senior, Latino and low-income Americans.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_092806.html
Nearly $600 Million Federal Phone Tax Bill Hike For CA Being Pushed by Phone Companies
September 13, 2006
A warning today for consumers in California: You stand to be the biggest losers in the United States under a widely criticized plan to shift the burden of who pays the federal "Universal Service Fund" (USF) tax on long-distance phone bills. A proposal backed by America's biggest telephone companies could saddle California with a $582.43 million annual tax hike, according to the urgent warning from the Consumer Federation of California, the California Alliance of Retired Americans, and California League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_091306.html
More Consumer Voices Against Federal Phone Tax Shift: Latino Farmworkers, California Seniors Join Keep Universal Service Fund Fair Coalition
August 23, 2006
The momentum against anti-consumer changes to the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) long-distance phone tax picked up even more speed this week as the ranks of the Keep USF Fair Coalition grew to include the National Farmworker Alliance (NFA), a coalition of Latino agriculture worker advocacy and service organizations, and the California Alliance of Retired Americans (CARA), which represents more than 100 affiliated groups with 750,000 members..
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_083406.html
Warning To Texas Consumers: Nearly $350 Million Federal Phone Bill Tax Hike For State Now Being Pushed By Phone Companies
August 3, 2006
A warning today for consumers in Texas: You stand to be among the biggest losers under a widely criticized plan to shift the burden of who pays the federal “Universal Service Fund” (USF) tax on long-distance phone bills. A proposal backed by America’s biggest telephone companies could saddle Texans with a $343 million annual tax hike, according to the urgent warning from the Keep USF Fair Coalition, the Texas Consumer Association, and the Texas Migrant Council.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_080306.html
Keep Universal Service Fund (USF) Fair Coalition: New Industry USF Group Should Disclose How Many Millions of Their Customers Would Pay More Under "Numbers"-Based Long-Distance Phone Tax
July 11, 2006
The Keep USF Fair Coalition today urged the members of the “USF by the Numbers Coalition” to publicly disclose how many millions of their customers would end up paying higher Universal Service Fund (USF) long-distance phone taxes if the collection methodology for the Fund is changed to a regressive, flat tax that would significantly and unfairly shift more of the USF financing burden to senior citizens, minorities, rural residents, and low-income individuals.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFAir/release_071106.html
PhoneTaxCalculator.com: Young Adults to be Zapped Under Controversial Federal USF Phone Tax Changes
June 27, 2006
If you are over the age of 45, you have a home phone and possibly a cell phone. But if you are under the age of 25, you may very well have four, five -- or even more -- “connections”: a home phone, one or more cell phones, an IM or Blackberry-style device, a broadband data connection and maybe even a separate line for online video gaming and/or a digital video recorder (DVR).
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFAir/release062706.html
"Flunking Numbers" Report: Colleges Face Staggering Increase of Up to Half a Billion Dollars in Higher Phone/Web Line Taxes Under FCC Plan
May 11, 2006
America’s 4,325 colleges, universities and other post-secondary institutions will be socked with a net annual increase in federal Universal Service Fund (USF) phone taxes of $320 million-$480 million if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moves ahead with a plan to switch the USF to a flat fee of $1 or $1.50 per phone number, Web-access line and other connection, according to a new report issued today by the Keep USF Fair Coalition.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFAir/release_051106.html
Data: Consumers in 12 States Would Be Biggest Losers Under Controversial Federal Phone Tax Hike Plan
March 30, 2006
A warning today for consumers in California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia: You stand to be the biggest losers under a widely criticized plan by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin to shift who bears the burden of paying for the federal “Universal Service Fund”(USF) fee on long-distance phone bills, according to new data from the Keep USF Fair Coalition.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFAir/release_033006.html
Report: USF Federal Phone Tax "Crisis" is a Hoax, No Need For Rush to Anti-Consumer Funding Scheme
February 27, 2006
A “phony crisis” is being manufactured by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin and some on Capitol Hill who want to change the Universal Service Fund (USF) fee on long-distance bills to a flat per-line charge that would increase phone taxes by up to $700 million for 43 million U.S. households, most of them low-income seniors, rural residents and minorities, according to a new report by the Keep Universal Service Fund (USF) Fair Coalition.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFAir/release022706.html
Consumer, Latino Groups Warn That Millions of Latino And Hispanic Consumers in U.S. Would Pay More Under FCC Chair’s Unfair Plan to Hike Federal Phone Tax
February 9, 2006
Millions of Latino and Hispanic long-distance phone customers in the United States would be socked with higher federal fees on their phone bills under a widely criticized proposal by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin to force phone users who make few long-distance calls or use pre-paid wireless phones to either start paying or pay more into the Universal Service Fund (USF), according to a warning from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Latino Issues Forum and Consumer Action.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFAir/release020906.html
Half a Million Emails And Letters Sent By Consumers Opposing USF Tax Increase Backed By FCC Chairman
December 6, 2005
Concerned consumers have sent a total of 562,911 emails and letters to officials in Washington in opposition to an expected proposal from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin to increase Universal Service Fund (USF) federal phone taxes by as much $700 million for 43 million American households, including 16 million low-income and senior households that currently make few or no long-distance calls.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFAir/500k-letters.html
Coalition: Plan by FCC Chair Martin Could Cost 16 Million of America’s Most Vulnerable Consumers $400 Million
November 17, 2005
A controversial plan backed by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin would result in higher federal phone taxes (or forced phone bill hikes) of as much as $707 million for 43 million low-volume long-distance user households in the United States, according to a new report by the Keep Universal Service Fund (USF) Fair Coalition.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/news-losing-numbers.html
Keep USF Fair Coalition Support Continues to Grow --
Two Groups Join Coalition, Urge FCC, Congress to Keep the Universal Service Fund Collection System Fair
September 1, 2005
The Keep USF Fair Coalition today announced two new members -- The Seniors Coalition (TSG) and the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition (MCRC). TSG and MCRC are committed to the coalition’s efforts to keep the Universal Service Fund (USF) collection method fair, and oppose proposals to move to a regressive, per-line flat fee.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/new_groups.html
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Warns of Proposed Anti-Consumer Changes to Universal Service Fund (USF)
July 19, 2005
(LULAC) reported today that its members have unanimously approved a resolution warning that changes under consideration at the FCC to the USF would move away from what is currently a “very equitable, nondiscriminatory, and competitively neutral approach to funding the USF” in favor of an approach that would harm America’s “most vulnerable” consumers, including many Latino Americans.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/lulac_warning.html
Keep USF Fair Coalition Applauds Congressional Rural Caucus’ Call For Strong, Fair and Broad-Based Universal Service Fund (USF)
July 13, 2005
The Keep USF Fair Coalition today endorsed the Congressional Rural Caucus’ call for preserving the Universal Service Fund (USF) and for keeping it fair for all consumers. The Coalition continues to call on the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to keep the USF contribution method fair, equitable and non-discriminatory.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/rural_caucus.html
More than 120,677 Americans Have Told the FCC and Members of Congress to Adopt the Fair Share Plan
May 17, 2005
Keep USF Fair Coalition continues its public awareness effort releasing a new ad in Roll Call, Communications Daily and The Hill highlighting the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) data on Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Coalition's consumer friendly "Fair Share Plan.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/cbo_report_275K.html
Keep USF Fair Coalition Welcomes Kevin Martin as the New Chairman of the FCC
April 6, 2005
Read the News Release announcing our latest filing urging Chairman Martin to endorse the "Fair Share Plan."
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/coalitionwelcomesmartin.html
Keep USF Fair Coalition Places Advertisements In USA TODAY Opposing FCC "Flat Tax" USF Proposal
February 9, 2005
The Keep USF Fair Coalition is running a series of print ads in USA TODAY, Roll Call, Communications Daily, and The Hill calling attention to a FCC proposal that would change the Universal Service Fund's (USF) collection methodology to a flat, per number fee. Proposed changes to the Universal Service Fund will harm low-volume, minority, senior and rural consumers.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/usatodayad.html
Keep USF Fair Coalition Members Submit New "Fair Share" USF Proposal to the FCC
January 31, 2005
Read our FCC filing that details our "Fair Share" proposal for keeping the Universal Service Fund fair for all Americans (PDF)
http://keepusffair.org/img/gv2/nonstandard_files/keepusffair/USF_Proposal_13105.pdf
Seniors Looking for Good Deals on Phone Bills
January 28, 2005
Article on how seniors seek no monthly telephone charges and call for continued government oversight on the rates and standards of their monthly bills.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/seniors-cellphones.html
NAACP Approves Resolution Supporting Fair Universal Service Funding Methodology
October 27, 2004
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots based civil rights organization, approved a resolution supporting the current fair Universal Service Fund (USF) collection system. The resolution calls for President George W. Bush, the United States Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to "carefully weigh the impacts of any intended reforms to the universal service funding methodology."
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/naacp_rl102704.html
Keep USF Fair Coalition Places Advertisements in Roll Call, Comm Daily, and The Hill to Raise Awareness of the Coalition, its Members, and Opposition to Proposed Changes to USF Collection Method
October 15, 2004
The Keep USF Fair Coalition will run print ads in Roll Call, Comm Daily and The Hill to help raise lawmakers awareness of problems with proposed Universal Service Fund (USF) collection method change currently before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The ads also highlight the success the coalition has had in gaining new individual and organizational members.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/keepusffair_ad.html
More than 33,000 Individuals and Three National Organizations Are Added to Keep USF Fair Coalition -- Consumers, Nonprofit Groups Urge Congress to Keep the USF Fair
October 11, 2004
Keep USF Fair Coalition, a group working to keep the Universal Service Fund collection system progressive, announces more than 33,000 new individual members, and that the American Council of the Blind, National Hispanic Council on Aging, and the National Native American Chamber of Commerce have joined the Coalition.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release101104.html
Telephone technology opens world for disabled
August 30, 2004
El Paso Times article on how Universal Service Fund helps disabled Americans use communications technologies.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41969-2004Jun14.html
USF in the news
June 15, 2004
Washington Post article on DSL, discusses how USF helps defray costs of increasing internet service to libraries, rural areas, etc.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41969-2004Jun14.html
Keep USF Fair Coalition Places Advertisements in Roll Call to Raise Awareness of Coalition and Opposition to Proposed Changes to USF Collection Method
June 9, 2004
Coalition ads introduce coalition members and supporters as well as highlight the problems and discrimnatory nature of proposed USF collection method
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/roll_call_ads.html
Proposed Third Quarter 2004 Universal Service Contribution Factor (CC Docket No. 96-45)
June 7, 2004
In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the third quarter of 2004 is .089 or 8.9 percent
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/proposed_q3_factor.html
New Consumer Coalition Launches Campaign To Keep Collection Of Universal Service Fund Fair
April 22, 2004
Today, leading senior, disability, consumer, minority and rural organizations launched a campaign to support the current nondiscriminatory, competitively neutral revenue-based Universal Service Fund (USF) collection system. The Keep Universal Service Fair Coalition opposes proposals to change to an unfair, flat, connections-based system. The Coalition's goal is to make sure the FCC does not alter the way USF fees are collected.
http://keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release042204.html
Farm Team comes out against primary-line restriction
March 23, 2004
Members of the United States Senate, many of them alumni of the 1996 Farm Team, are preparing a letter to be sent to the Federal Communications Commission urging it to reject a recommendation to restrict universal-service subsidies to primary lines.
http://rcrnews.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?newsId=17424
USA Today: Phone companies near deal on access fees
March 18, 2004
Major phone companies are close to reaching an agreement that would eliminate the fees that long-distance carriers pay to connect local calls and would raise rates to make up the revenue.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-03-18-phonerates_x.htm
FCC's Public Notice
March 5, 2004
On March 5, 2004, announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the Second Quarter of 2004 is 0.087 or 8.7 percent.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-621A1.doc
Do Americans Lose Under a Connection-Based Approach? - NMRC
The New Millenium Research Council examines telecommunication policy issues, including recent FCC proposals on maintaining a sustainable, long-term Universal Service Fund.
http://www.newmillenniumresearch.org/archive/universal-report-061703.pdf |
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