Calif. Considering Taxing Your Text Messages

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Imagine paying a tax every time you send a text message in California.

The California Public Utilities Commission is considering a proposal that would subject text messages to the Public Purpose Program (PPP) Surcharge, which would be used to help fund programs that ensure cell phone service is available to the poor.

PPP are surcharges on utilities such as gas and telephone service which help fund programs for low-income individuals.

The wireless industry and business groups are working to defeat the proposal, according to The Mercury News. A vote is scheduled to take place next month.

It's unclear how the tax would be implemented or what the numbers would look like, but it would likely be a flat surcharge.

In a report released this week, the PUC argues that while its PPP budget has increased from $670 million in 2011 to $998 million in 2017, the total revenue of California's telecommunications industry – which funds the PPP – has declined from $16.5 billion to $11.2 billion. The wireless industry – which makes up about 53 percent of the telecommunications industry's revenue – declined from $10.1 billion to $6.12 billion during that time.

Adding a texting surcharge would help bolster that number.

"From a consumer's point of view, surcharges may be a wash, because if more surcharge revenues come from texting services, less would be needed from voice services," CPUC spokeswoman Constance Gordon wrote in a statement. "Generally, those consumers who create greater texting revenues may pay a bit more, whereas consumers using more voice services may pay less."