Proposed Wireless Device Tax Does Not Compute, Critics Tell House Finance Committee

Members of the House Finance Committee got an earful Wednesday morning from Washingtonians opposed to proposed legislation that would add to the cost of purchasing certain wireless devices. House Bill 1793 would add $2 at the point of sale to wireless devices that cost more than $250. Money from the tax would go toward efforts to close the “digital divide” between the haves and the have-nots in terms of internet access and download speed. The legislation defines smart devices as those “capable of wireless access to the internet. This includes, but is not limited to, smart phones, laptop computers, tablets, wearable devices, smart speakers, gaming consoles, smart gyms, and smart televisions.” Join The Center Square's Jeremy Lott and Brett Davis on this episode of Washington in Focus.