August 2, 2007

The Honorable John Conyers
Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I am writing in support of the enactment of a pay-TV non-discrimination principle as part of any legislation which would renew the Internet tax moratorium.

As you know, Consumers Union has endorsed such legislation, and I wish to associate my organization with the views expressed in Consumers Union’s July 30, 2007 letter to you. In particular, I share Consumers Union’s well-expressed concern that incumbent cable TV operators have been able to exercise market power to raise rates far in excess of inflation, and that discriminatory state sales taxes against satellite subscribers will only exacerbate these anti-competitive conditions.

Whatever platform they choose for video, consumers should pay based on competitive conditions, not discriminatory tax policies.

Sincerely,

/s/

Andrew Jay Schwartzman
President and CEO
Media Access Project

1625 K Street, NW - Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20006
T: (202) 232-4300
F: (202) 466-7656
www.mediaaccess.org