Rochester, N.Y. – Satellite television subscribers could see their bills go up this year.
A bill has been introduced in the state legislature that would impose a 5 percent tax on all satellite television bills. The bill’s sponsors say the tax would level the playing field with cable companies. Cable subscribers pay up to 5 percent of their bill to local governments as part of franchise agreements. The satellite television tax could bring in an extra $50 million to $100 million a year.
Satellite television companies say they don’t use anywhere near the public infrastructure as cable companies. DirecTV urges companies to sign a petition opposing the tax.
“I think it’s terrible. Why should I have to pay another 5 percent to watch television?” said Brian Confer, a DirecTV subscriber. “Everything is just tax after tax after tax and it’s too much.”
The bill has been referred to committees. In a press release, Senator George Maziarz called it "dead on arrival."
