WTA Applauds Introduction of Bill to Exempt Broadband Grants from Taxation
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 7, 2022) – WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband applauds Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) for introducing the bipartisan Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act, legislation exempting broadband grant funding from specific federal programs from taxation.
“The federal government is making an enormous investment in rural broadband, but the effects of the tax code make it harder for the small, locally-based broadband providers we represent to maximize the amount of funding going to build out the network,” said Derrick B. Owens, Senior Vice President for Government and Industry Affairs for WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband. “We applaud Representatives Panetta and Kelly for introducing the House version of the bipartisan Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act, which would streamline the tax code so that every broadband grant dollar goes toward building broadband networks and extending service to those who don’t have it. WTA strongly urges Congressional leadership to address this issue quickly.”
This bipartisan legislation complements S. 5021, identical legislation introduced in September by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV).
