Florida Paves Way For VoIP Taxation

Florida could become one of the first states in the country to tax networks running voice over Internet Protocol.

On Friday, the Florida Senate passed a bill that would have prevented collection of the a tax that affects VoIP users until 2006, and sent it to the House. But House Speaker Johnnie Byrd refused to consider it, said John Stargel, a Republican in the Florida House of Representatives.

“I don’t think the speaker really understood the issues or took the time to understand what this tax will do to businesses in Florida and businesses looking to relocate here,” he said. “We have now created an atmosphere of uncertainty. In a state that prides itself on being pro-business and pro-growth, it’s sad that this message is being sent.”

Read the full story at ZDNet.