new tax on electric bill ~

**nodmicks** · 12-11-2007, 06:24 PM

I saw a line in the bill that I didn't recognize.~ There are so many taxes on there it is as bad as the phone co.:surprise:

WI low income assistance tax @ 3%

I called and the state passed a law that we now have to pay a 3% tax to fund energy assistance.

I'm all for helping and do give to charities but I sure like to have a choice.

Any other states have anything like this?

**FrugalMomof3** · 12-11-2007, 07:01 PM

I have never heard of that, it's a shame too, we should have the option to whether we WANT to contribute or not just like they ask us when we do our taxes.

**mmy2grls** · 12-11-2007, 08:57 PM

I don't think they should automatically put that on a bill.

**nodmicks** · 12-11-2007, 10:11 PM

Thats what I thought Traci and mygrl. The real clincher is everyone has to pay it~state law..... EVEN THE low income person it is intended to help. Granted they would have a reduced bill but. Now we know why WI is at the top of the list for taxes.

**Squirt** · 12-12-2007, 07:12 AM

Now that's just plain old stupid.

**mmy2grls** · 12-12-2007, 07:40 AM

I wonder how many people are paying that tax but yet they would never be able to recieve that help if they needed it?

**nodmicks** · 12-12-2007, 07:42 AM

Yep Squirt stupid!
Mygrl~ likely most of them.
Then to top it off we get a 10% increase in Jan. We already have really high power rates.

**warramra** · 12-12-2007, 08:36 AM

A local power company tried to pull this with a 'voluntary' add on to the bill. I believe it was an extra $5 or $10 dollars with the money supposedly going to help customers who were unable to pay their bills. The problem was is who (1) had to know about it and (2) choose to opt out. People who never looked closely at their bills never knew. When a lot of people started complaining they did finally switch it to an opt-in program instead.

Personally, I would rather donate the money to a local org that gives the money to people to help them pay their bills. So much money is wasted by government and corporate programs on 'administrative' costs I wonder how much of each dollar actually reaches the people who need it.

**nodmicks** · 12-12-2007, 10:51 AM

Amy I agree with you 100%!

**Brat** · 12-12-2007, 10:57 AM

We have had that here for over a year and so far have not seen anyone get any help....IL

**MarshHen** · 12-13-2007, 12:28 PM

We have the option to pay a little more each month to help the people who can't pay their power bill, but I never do it simply because I'm not sure the money is going for that. If and when they can prove to me where my extra moola is going, I will be glad to pay a little extra for the cause, but until then, I'm not lining the pockets of anyone, especially the power company.

**nodmicks** · 12-14-2007, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by MarshHen

We have the option to pay a little more each month to help the people who can't pay their power bill, but I never do it simply because I'm not sure the money is going for that. If and when they can prove to me where my extra moola is going, I will be glad to pay a little extra for the cause, but until then, I'm not lining the pockets of anyone, especially the power company.

Agree 100%

**cottageliving** · 12-20-2007, 04:18 PM

I am in total agreement with what you've all written. My guess is that they figure most people do not read their bills, and won't notice a 3% tax on top of their actual usage amount. And then they use the money to pay their employees to administer the reduced payments for low income people. It is a racket.