Americans for Hope, Growth and Opportunity Urges South Carolina Regulators To Reject Efforts To Hurt Taxpayers During The State's Recovery

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans for Hope, Growth and Opportunity (AHGO), one of America's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to promoting economic and fiscal policies that will put the U.S. back on the path to prosperity, encourages the South Carolina Public Service Commission to reject a phone-company backed petition (Docket #2015-290-C) that will create a new tax for 4.5 wireless subscribers in the state. We encourage regulators to accept the wireless industry's motion to dismiss this frivolous petition when they convene on October 14 and spare the taxpayers of the state from additional financial hardships – especially during this difficult time.

AHGO Honorary Chairman Steve Forbes issued the following statement:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of South Carolina.  Given the tragic events that have occurred in the state over the last week, now is not the time to be raising taxes on consumers.  The people of the Palmetto State have enough to worry about; paying more each month for their cell phone bill should not be another financial challenge that they have to overcome.

I strongly encourage the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the small telephone companies' request to require wireless customers to contribute to the state's Universal Service Fund (USF) – an outdated subsidy system that helps landline phone companies boost their declining profits. It is outrageous that these companies continue seeking public funding to inflate their profits at a time when so many South Carolina residents have gone through one of the worst – and most expensive - natural disasters in state history.

The wireless industry has put forth a petition to dismiss the small phone companies' frivolous request and the Commission is expected to review the issue on Wednesday.  I hope the Commission will accept the wireless industry's motion and put an end to this greedy attempt to pick the pockets of South Carolina taxpayers.

Further, I'd encourage the Commission to examine this antiquated subsidy which is in need of updating given all the changes that have taken place in the communications market since the fund's inception.  The PSC needs to do their homework and examine this issue closely to protect South Carolina consumers from unnecessary fees – now more than ever."

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SOURCE Americans for Hope, Growth and Opportunity