From www.wwltv.com- If you plan on logging onto websites like Facebook, Twitter, or even your own e-mail, you could be forced to pay for a new tax every month.
A proposed 15-cent Internet tax is expected to bring in millions of dollars to help combat Internet crimes, but some say it could lead to a long line of other taxes in the future.
For Brian Jacob, a New Orleans father of four, his children’s’ safety is a top priority and worry – even when they’re in the comfort of their own home.
“We all know that there are a lot of sick people in the world and use the Internet as access to the kids,” said Jacob.
The Louisiana House last Thursday voted in what they see as a possible solution, a tax on your monthly Internet bill to raise more an estimated $2.4 million a year to investigate Internet crimes. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell’s [pictured] office would oversee the use of the funds in hopes of prosecuting those involved in online fraud or sex crimes against children.
“As frequently as we see so many of the sexual predators online, I have to say that as many methods as we can take, we go at them both barrels loaded,” said FBI Special Agent Kristine Green, who heads the FBI’s Louisiana Cyber Squad. Greene says the federal agency works with the attorney general’s office to investigate all internet crimes from child pornography, to white collar fraud involving counterfeit checks
“I would say the biggest obstacle is trying to link cases together,” said Green. “If you have someone who has $2,500 worth of loss, that may not be something that would justify a federal case, but the thing is if someone has $2,500 of loss, there’s probably a lot of other victims out there.”
While lawmakers in the House overwhelming passed the new tax, nine of the 90 votes were against giving the attorney general the extra revenue.
“I know what he’s trying to do,” said Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans. “But I personally don’t want to nickel and time people to death.”
Badon warns of a slippery slope of future taxes, possibly on magazine subscriptions, cable service and more.
“The people who are committing the crimes, they should be the ones to actually foot the bill for it,” said Badon. “I don’t want to put another burden on the good law abiding citizens of Louisiana, I think the attorney general needs to find another mechanism to fund this.”
The bill now moves onto the Senate, but Governor Bobby Jindal – through word of a spokesperson – is expected to veto the new tax if it passes through.
For Brian Jacob’s family, every penny truly does count, he says. But in the name of his children’s’ safety, he says he’s willing to part with 15 of those pennies every month.
“If it could help prevent some crime going on, I think it’s well worth it.”