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Here is a link to the raw proposed decision: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M238/K227/238227359.PDF http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efil

Here is a link to the raw proposed decision: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M238/K227/238227359.PDF http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M238/K227/2...

elipsey 8y ago
Thanks for that, the articles I've seen haven't linked it. Seems like the surcharge could be like MTS surcharge. The carrier is _permitted_ to apply a surcharge up to a defined maximum, ostensibly to defray the cost of mandated "Universal Service", emergency service, etc., but the funds are not collected by the state, and are instead kept by the telco. My MTS surcharge is about %20, before sales tax, btw. I infer that media coverage calling this a "tax" might be sort of a telco lobbying submarine. Edit: The more I look into this the less I know. I have had a lot of trouble finding details on who manages which fees. FCC has apparently designated several non-profit corporations to manage universal service fee funds, while some states have their own funds.* I can't find an authoritative answer to whether other surcharges are outside the scope of government management or not. Customer service won't talk about it (I tried once), and the legislation itself seems to describe what is _allowed_, but doesn't usefully summarize what is actually occurring. If anyone knows where to find more authoritative information about this sort of thing, I would like to know. * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Service_Fund#Administration https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Service_Fund#Adminis...
- mikeash 8y ago
  Why would the telcos be against a rule that allows them to tack on a surcharge, blame the state, and keep the money?
  - elipsey 8y ago
    What I mean by this is that I suspect that telcos are drafting this sort of legislation, and promoting articles to "Business Friendly" news publications that call surcharges "tax" in order to deflect blame. That is more or less what I think happened with the MTS surcharge.
    - mikeash 8y ago
      Oh, I see. I was thinking in terms of calling it a “tax” to kill it, since people generally hate that word. I guess they’d rather keep it quiet but that may not be an option.

Here is a link to the raw proposed decision: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M238/K227/238227359.PDF http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M238/K227/2...

elipsey 8y ago

Thanks for that, the articles I've seen haven't linked it. Seems like the surcharge could be like MTS surcharge. The carrier is _permitted_ to apply a surcharge up to a defined maximum, ostensibly to defray the cost of mandated "Universal Service", emergency service, etc., but the funds are not collected by the state, and are instead kept by the telco. My MTS surcharge is about %20, before sales tax, btw. I infer that media coverage calling this a "tax" might be sort of a telco lobbying submarine. Edit: The more I look into this the less I know. I have had a lot of trouble finding details on who manages which fees. FCC has apparently designated several non-profit corporations to manage universal service fee funds, while some states have their own funds.* I can't find an authoritative answer to whether other surcharges are outside the scope of government management or not. Customer service won't talk about it (I tried once), and the legislation itself seems to describe what is _allowed_, but doesn't usefully summarize what is actually occurring. If anyone knows where to find more authoritative information about this sort of thing, I would like to know. * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Service_Fund#Administration https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Service_Fund#Adminis...

mikeash 8y ago
Why would the telcos be against a rule that allows them to tack on a surcharge, blame the state, and keep the money?
- elipsey 8y ago
  What I mean by this is that I suspect that telcos are drafting this sort of legislation, and promoting articles to "Business Friendly" news publications that call surcharges "tax" in order to deflect blame. That is more or less what I think happened with the MTS surcharge.
  - mikeash 8y ago
    Oh, I see. I was thinking in terms of calling it a “tax” to kill it, since people generally hate that word. I guess they’d rather keep it quiet but that may not be an option.