As an aside from the y2k debate...the government is attempting to pass legislation to incorporate a surcharge on every email sent via the Internet, billed to the consumer via their regular internet provider. Please call or send mail to your local Congressman asking him to vote NO to Bill 602P.

-- NSmith (nitnat3@aol.com), June 25, 1999

Answers

No such proposed legislation (Bill 602P) exists. As hoaxes go, this one's a good one, eh?

-- Codejockey (codejockey99@yahoo.com), June 25, 1999.

OLD inaccurate information. See:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/lib rary/blemtax2.htm?COB=home&terms=e-mail+tax+surcharge&PM=113_300_T

Bookmark this site NSmith and check it before you pass on any more legends.

http://urbanlegends.about.com

Thanks for trying to keep us informed though.

-- Kay (jkbrooks@bellsouth.net), June 25, 1999.

Don't pay any attention to this. It's just an internet rumour that has been around for 2 years.

There is NO bill in either House or Senate (or even in committee for that matter) titled 602P.

House bills always start with HR (House Resolution). Tax issues must first start in the House Ways and Means Committee.

I think the members of Congress would be scared shitless to face their constituents if they passed such a tax.

Of course this doesn't mean that at some point in the future we won't have an Executive Order authorizing a surcharge on our phone bill for e-mail to be provided to school kids using an obscure 1913 telephone law (which Clinton DID in 1995 to allegedly provide internet access for schools).

But the 602P rumour is bogus.

-- INVAR thelurker (gundark@sw.net), June 25, 1999.