March 15, 2004

A Call to Action

Efforts are continuing to repeal the Substitute Communications Systems tax law. You are encouraged to voice your support of this repeal. If left unchecked, the tax law-202.11(16), Fla. Stat.-will lead to excessively high taxes for nearly every business and individual with an in-house computer or phone network. Estimates include a tax rate of approximately 14 percent for businesses and 7.5 percent for residences. (Visit <http://www.itflorida.com/>www.itflorida.com to view large- and small-company examples of the impact of this tax.)

If it's not repealed, the tax law will be implemented after the 2004 legislative session.

Please write or email:

* Rep. Johnnie Byrd, House Speaker

Republican-Florida House of Representatives District 62

420 The Capitol

402 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

<mailto:speakerbyrd@myfloridahouse.com>speakerbyrd@myfloridahouse.com

* Senator James E. "Jim" King, Jr., President

Republican-Florida Senate District 8

Suite 409 The Capitol

404 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

<mailto:king.james.web@flsenate.gov>king.james.web@flsenate.gov

It's also suggested that you include copies of your letter/email to your local representatives, and to:

* Governor Jeb Bush

PL 05 The Capitol

400 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

jeb.bush@myflorida.com

* Rep. John K. Stargel

Republican-Florida House of Representatives District 64

210 House Office Building

402 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-130

stargel.john@myfloridahouse.com

* Senator Gwen Margolis

Democrat-Florida Senate District 35

Room 213 Senate Office Building

404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

Margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov

To help ITFlorida gauge the amount of support for this tax repeal, please bcc your letter/email to Brewser Brown, ITFlorida Consultant at SKB Consulting Group, at <mailto:brewser@brewserbrown.com>brewser@brewserbrown.com or 850-531-8395 (fax).

Points to consider in your letter/email:

· No other state has a Substitute Communications Systems tax law.

· Numerous Florida businesses have already stated that they may have to relocate out of the state due to the large tax increase the tax law would inflict.

· This tax would harm the state's businesses ability to compete.

· Tax increases to individual mid- and large-sized businesses will be measured in millions.

· Every Florida business with an in-house phone system or computer network will be negatively affected.

For more information, contact Brewser Brown, ITFlorida Consultant at SKB Consulting Group, at 850-222-7521 or brewser@brewserbrown.com.

About ITFlorida News & Views: ITFlorida News & Views is an e-newsletter published by ITFlorida. All rights reserved. For more information, visit www.itflorida.com or call 800-748-1120.

About ITFlorida: ITFlorida is an umbrella, not-for-profit, membership organization that represents Florida's diverse information technology communities on a statewide basis. ITFlorida was formed in October 2001 after the dissolution of the Information Service Development Technology Task Force (IT Task Force), which focused on developing state policies to enable Florida to compete in the information age. ITFlorida built on the momentum of the IT Task Force and fills the need for a single statewide advocacy organization to represent Florida's IT-related technology sectors. It is organized to provide its members with access to lawmakers, businesses, capital, and domestic and international technology leaders. More information is available at www.itflorida.com.