Recent advertisements funded by large out-of-state phone companies have hit TV to defeat this much needed proposition and deny Californians quality emergency care.  Don’t believe their lies.  Here are the facts:
THE OPPOSITION CLAIMS:	THE TRUTH ABOUT PROP 67:
“Supporters claim 67 is a modest increase in phone taxes – it really increases your taxes 400%.”	The phone companies opposing Proposition 67 claim that Proposition 67 raises the “taxes” on telephone usage.  However, Proposition 67 only affects one of the many taxes and surcharges imposed by state and federal law – namely the existing surcharge for emergency telephone services.  A typical phone bill may have a dozen or more surcharges, fees, and taxes added to the bill, including a federal tax, local utility tax, State Regulatory Fee, Universal Lifeline surcharge, Federal Universal Service Fee, and many others (take a look at your phone bill).  Proposition 67 does not raise the rate or amount of any of those taxes.  Thus, the claim that Proposition 67 raises your phone “taxes” 400% is false.  The truth is that Proposition 67 only raises the existing surcharge for emergency telephone services by 3% -- one of the smallest surcharges currently found on a typical phone bill.
“Supporters say seniors are exempt, but more then 1 million seniors will pay more.”	Supporters of Proposition 67 have never made any such claim.  Rather, supporters have only claimed and Proposition 67 specifically provides that “senior citizens and others on basic lifeline phone rates are completely exempt from the additional cost.”  (Official Voter Information Guide at p. 52)
“Supporters say taxes are capped, but there’s no cap on cell phones or small business phone taxes.”	Again, supporters of Proposition 67 have never made any such claim.  What the supporters of Proposition 67 have said is absolutely true:  “Prop. 67 caps the amount a phone company can bill residential telephone customers for the new surcharge at 50 cents per month.  The new surcharge does not apply to out-of-state long distance calls, and senior citizens and others on basic lifeline phone rates are completely exempt from the additional cost.”  (Official Voter Information Guide at p. 52).
“Don’t be misled.  Vote no on 67: a huge $540 million phone tax we can’t afford.”	The only thing misleading about Proposition 67 is the phone company’s campaign against it.  Their campaign consists of putting words into the mouths of those trying to solve a growing health care crisis and then calling them liars. Instead of looking into a microscope, the phone companies ought to look in the mirror.