House moves to keep ban on Internet tax
WASHINGTON – The House voted Tuesday to make permanent a moratorium that prevents states from taxing access to the Internet.
Under current law, the moratorium ends Oct. 1.
Lawmakers said allowing states to tax Internet access would expose users to the same kind of taxes and fees that often show up on telephone bills.
The House passed the bill by a voice vote that did not require lawmakers to record their votes. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Ex-House speaker pleads not guilty
CHICAGO – A haggard Dennis Hastert appeared in court Tuesday for the first time since he was indicted, pleading not guilty to charges that he violated banking rules and lied to the FBI about promising to pay $3.5 million in hush money to conceal misconduct from his days as a high school teacher.
As his attorney entered the plea on his behalf, the 73-year-old former House speaker stood motionless, his hands folded and eyes downcast at the floor. When the judge asked if he understood he had to submit a DNA sample and could go to jail if he violated any conditions of his release, the man who was once second in the line of succession to the presidency answered quietly, “Yes, sir.”
The politician-turned-lobbyist is accused of evading federal banking laws by withdrawing hundreds of thousands of dollars in smaller amounts and lying about the money when questioned.
Associated Press
