George Voinovich: “I have made the point that I have strong concerns with the pending legislation because it is an unfunded mandate. At the…”

“I have made the point that I have strong concerns with the pending legislation because it is an unfunded mandate. At the same time, I think it would be wrong for Congress to do nothing and allow taxes on Internet access. As I have said emphatically, I am against taxes on e-mail and the Internet. It is no secret that my interest in the current moratorium dates back to my time as Governor. During my tenure as Governor, I was also chairman of the National Governors Association. As chairman, I asked Governor Mike Leavitt to be the lead Governor on the Internet economy and its effects on State government and federalism. The NGA efforts on this important topic led to the current moratorium on Internet taxes which was signed into law in 1998, and then again in 2001. Our goal then is the same as my goal today: to encourage the growth of the Internet as a driving force in our economy. Let's look at the facts. Under the original 3-year moratorium from 1998 to 2001, the Internet rapidly expanded to all corners of our country. The point I am trying to make is that with the current moratorium that we have, we have seen unbelievable expansion in the Internet. That is what we wanted to have. That is why we put the moratorium in effect.”