Bill in the Unicameral would raise your phone bill

[TheFarseer]

*note* I am blaming this on the republicans because I think there is only one democrat in the Unicameral.

A bill in the NE Unicameral would require 911 stations to be equipped with devices to track cell phone calls. This in response to that assface and his girlfriend last year that was tripping balls on meth and died walking around in the blizzard. To pay for this, the state would add a $1 surcharge to everyone's phone bill. I don't have a problem per se with having this new technology but I begrudge the phone company every cent I've ever given them and this highlights two problems I have with the republican party:

They are all about personal responsibility until a cute girl from Creighton dies. Then it was the 911 operator's fault that they died walking around in a blizzard with no coat out of their minds on meth. And second, it's fine if everyone's costs rise as long as we don't call it a tax. Maybe we should raise an "income surcharge" on the top 1% richest people in the US!

[the observationist]

1. Phone rates

I just got off the phone with Cox Communications about adding another phone line in the house and it is going to cost $18.11 per month. The breakdown is $7.99 for the Cox fee and $10.12 for taxes and State fees. The customer service person told me that Nebraska is "The Good Life" unless your talking about phone taxes and State fees. I'm am so tired of hidden taxes in Nebraska.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. There are hidden taxes. We need a list.

Besides the phones (massive list of taxes on every bill), where are they? If we could get a list together, it would make some powerful material for LTTEs.

[the observationist]

3. Automobile registrations

Another good one is automobile registrations. What else?

Even though property taxes are lumped into one category have you ever looked at the breakdown. My goodness it's crazy where all of our taxes end up going. I should dig out the information and post it.

I'll have to look at my bills again, but there are quite a few taxes on cable and cell phone bills as well.

In 2005 Nebraska also started taxing services such as lawn maintenance. We now have to pay 7% on all yard work. That's awesome.

Has anyone ever added up the amount of taxes they pay including payroll, sales taxes, etc?

[LiberalAndProud]

4. Almost every form of labor is taxed.

Even construction labor carries sales tax now. I complained loudly when this happened, because I'm part owner of a IT service business. Asked them, "If I have a temporary employment agency and contract my services, would that be taxable?" Guy on the other end of the phone said, "No, but you would have to pay employment taxes. And if it were determined that you did it to avoid taxes, you would be prosecuted." I already pay employment taxes.

I've wondered if I could challenge this in court "unfair competition".

Anyway, the upshot is that the cost for my services were raised by 7% and I get not one dime of it.

Value-added tax in action.