Lawmaker proposes cancelling a state tax on satellite TV

Ohio Public Radio - July, 2008 - A lawmaker wants to change the tax rules for satellite TV. Senator Lou Blessing, a Republican of Cincinnati, wants to repeal a tax that was placed on satellite television customers back in 2003. Blessing says the satellite companies have already won a round in court against the state. He says it's time for the state to reach an agreement with the companies rather than fight to keep the tax on the books.

Blessing's bill is supported by Direct T V and Dish, the two leading satellite television companies in Ohio. But the Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association opposes the measure. It points out the cable television industry and its customers pay more than $100 million annually in taxes and fees. The cable industry says the tax on satellite television is necessary to keep the playing field level between the two types of television service.

Listen to Senator Blessing speak on the subject here (mp3).