Mayor Nutter,
I need a better explanation for Philadelphia's conveyed intent to Charge blogger's $300 for a license to blog on the internet.
1] By what authority does the city of Philadelphia require bloggers to obtain a license?
2] Where does such authority come from?
3] From where is such authority derived?
4] When and how was this authority granted and by whom?
5] What are the legal penalties for Philadelphia bloggers that refuse or fail to obtain a license?
6a] Is it civil or criminal?
6b] Why?
7a] Is implementation and/or enforcement of such ordinance in conflict with Separation of Powers and/or Due Process Clauses?
7b] Why?
8a] Is this in conflict with federal and/or state constitutions?
8b] Why?
9] What government agencies are delegated authority in this matter?
10a] What government agencies are delegated authority to enforce it?
10b] Who has authority to file a claim against someone else for "blogging without a license"?
10c] Would such individual be required by law to hold a license to practice law?
11] Does this ordinance still apply if bloggers do not charge their readers for access to their columns?
11b] If not, then under what precise circumstances does it apply?
12a] Have ANY laws or statutes been violated in order to implement and/or enforce this new ordinance?
12b] If yes, which laws were violated and which individuals have participated in violating them?
I think we need some clarity on this matter.. please answer all questions completely and without omission.
Yours
Brian Ball ------------------------------ PS- You might have to format it before sending as that when I pasted it here it didnt preserve the format. Dont forget to share this with your freinds.
Don’t we pay a special tax from our ISP or cell phone to fund internet access to the economically disadvantaged?
If the lower echelons want to voice their opinion, how will they ‘pay to play’?
How much you wanna bet these same guys adamantly object to showing a photo ID at the polling booth?
What can I say about Philadelphia except that it’s too bad it’s in Pennsylvania!
Story is old. The city sent some bloggers who had ads on their sites a demand that they purchase a business license.
If you run a business in Philly (eg, if you run a blog from your home in Philly and make any money off it) you need to get a "business-privilege license". The license costs $50 a year or $300 for a lifetime license.
The $300 business privilege license itself is an outrage, as is the THREE yes I said THREE business taxes the city charges all businesses.
Including a gross revenue tax which means a business can LOSE money and is still taxed on its revenue.
Yes, every year you fill out 3 Philly tax returns, as well as state & federal.
How can they possibly enforce this?
LOL!!!!
This will be easily enforced.....
This sounded a bit preposterous so I did some looking.
Did you know the law only applies to bloggers using their blog as a source of income? Meaning, that they are paying business tax, like all the other businesses in Philadelphia.
At least that is what is being reported on Philly.com. Those who make no money off of their blog do not have to pay.
Philadelphia reminds me of a sales contest decades ago where the first prize was an all-expense paid one-week trip to that city.
Second prize was two weeks in Philadelphia.
I thought this was an old story 1-2 years ago and it had died a worthy death.
She’s kinda hot with that gruffy voice and I forgot what she was talking about..
Truth In Naming.