Briefs: Telecoms challenge Kentucky tax changes
An overhaul of Kentucky's tax code has resulted in a legal challenge from major wireless phone companies.
Five nationwide companies have filed suit in federal court arguing that a new tax on gross revenues violates federal law because it prohibits them from passing the 1.3-percent levy on to their customers.
They contend that they will have to raise rates because the law bars them from itemizing the tax on customer bills -- a change that allegedly clashes with communications law that give the feds exclusive jurisdiction over cell-phone rates.
Gov. Ernie Fletcher told the Lexington Herald-Leader Monday he had not seen the lawsuit but stood by the tax overhaul that goes into effect Jan. 1.
The plaintiffs in the suit include Cingular, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and NPCR.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International