TALLAHASSEE – No one has a lot of love for the tax collector but Americans across the country should really embrace the “tax corrector!” Dr. Vera McIntyre of Tallahassee Florida was so upset about high communications taxes in the Sunshine State she started a nationwideconsumer group to fight exorbitant government tax laws.
The African-American family and community activist started Communications Consumers United, a not for profit consumer advocacy organization that focuses on identifying and supporting policies that ensure universal access to advanced communications
products and services across the United States.
“Communications services and the Internet are tools that can empower our communities and our families. In order to achieve and succeed in the information age we must have affordable communications services. Affordable access can be a great equalizer for economic empowerment and wealth creation.” said Ms. McIntyre. “Florida has the third highest communications taxes in the nation and Black families feel the brunt of those taxes every time they buy a cell phone, a ring tone, internet access or some other
communications service. ”Dr. Vera McIntyre’s organization may be relatively new but the high tax issue is not new and McIntyre’s record as a Black community
activist has been established for many years. McIntyre has been fighting for Black family issues and Black community issues since the early 1970s. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Florida State University and a Ph.D. in
Christian Counseling from The Jacksonville Theological Seminary. “Every Black Floridian that uses a cellular phone, buys a ring tone, watches HBO or other premium cable TV channels or subscribes to a satellite TV service are paying unfair and unjust communications taxes that are too costly, “ said Dr. McIntyre. “The CCU will work with other organizations to encourage Senators and State Representatives to pass legislation in the 2007 Session that will lower the state’s communication taxes and make the services more affordable. ”CCU works to increase the technology absorption rate in minority, urban and rural communities and promotes the important
role these technologies are playing in daily life. “African-Americansspend billions of dollars in the American economy and many of those dollars are spent on technology and communications,” explained Ms. McIntyre. “Communications services have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. ”Communications Consumers United educates consumers and organizes grassroots advocacy efforts that seek to empower consumers with the ability and confidence to speak with a common voice on critical communications issues. “Florida has one of the highest wireless tax rates in the country,” said McIntyre. “Florida’s communications taxes are the third highest
amongst America’s 50 states.” Vera McIntyre and members and supporters of Communications Consumers United are calling for passage of proposed legislation
in the 2007 Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives that would lower Florida’s communications services tax rate by 1.17% - from the current rate of 9.17% to 8%. An 8% communications tax would still be 2% higher than the state sales tax on other goods and services sold in Florida but the reduction from the high taxes now in place would save Floridians $185 million a year in tax costs. Tax issues are not the first issues that Dr. McIntyre has spoken out about. Efforts and activities in the community have gained McIntyre recognition and awards from organizations including the National Alliance of Business, American Business Women Association,
Frontiers International, Urban League, NAACP, National Forum for Black Administrators, Florida A&M University, The Girl Scouts of America and a number of community action agencies and religious organizations. Dr. McIntyre has been a host of the TV show “NAACP Speaks” broadcasted on several channels in North Florida. She is also host and producer of her own radio and TV shows called “Straight TalkWith Vera McIntyre” aired on WTAL and WSST radio stations andthe FAMU-TV network. Fighting Florida’s high communications taxes are my number one priority right now,” said McIntyre. “The tax reduction bills being considered by the Florida Legislature must be passed if Florida families and individuals will see reductions in their wireless and cable TV costs. African-Americans spend billions of dollars in the American economy and many of those dollars are spent on technology
and communications,” explained Dr. McIntyre. “We are being unfairly burdened with these discriminatory taxes. CCU is fighting for what is right. Working class people deserve a break. ”If you would like to assist Dr. McIntyre and the CCU in their work with Florida’s policy makers to make sure that your family and your community has affordable access to new and vital communications technology or if you wish to find out more information about Communications Consumers United, please write to Dr. Vera McIntyre, Communications Consumers United, P.O. Box 4281, Tallahassee,
Florida 32301. Persons interested in supporting the CCU can also call 850-893-8677. In addition, you may visit the CCU
web site at www.communicationsconsumersunited.org.