Legislative Affairs

This brief of amicus curiae was filed by the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI) in the case DirecTV, Inc., and Echostar Satellite LLC vs. Richard Levin, Tax Commissioner of Ohio.

In the brief, IPI argues that states (in this case, the state of Ohio) have the right to levy a tax on the delivery of DBS TV and that this is an issue of federalism. IPI also argues that franchise fees levied on the delivery of cable TV is also a tax. IPI argues that, because like services should be taxed alike, states have the right to attempt to equalize taxation through such means, though IPI prefers that the tax burden be equalized by moving taxes lower, rather than higher.

In this letter the Institute for Policy Innovation provides input regarding the direction given in The Recovery Act tasking the Commission with developing a national broadband plan.

This letter is in response to the joint request for information regarding Section 6001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) which requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).