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For Immediate Release
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Media contact: Jen Webber
207-939-0213 (cell) |
Maine Voters Overwhelmingly Oppose New Taxes and Fees on Streaming Services
A November survey conducted by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center found that 69 percent of registered voters oppose new taxes and fees on streaming service
AUGUSTA, Maine (Monday, January 15, 2024) – A November 2023 poll found that registered Maine voters overwhelmingly oppose proposed legislation – LD 1967 - that seeks to impose new taxes and fees on streaming services for Maine consumers. LD 1967 could increase costs for Maine consumers by up to 40 percent.
The poll, conducted by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center, found that 69 percent of voters are against the new streaming tax and only 15 percent support it. The results are based on online surveys of 938 Maine registered voters collected November 28-30, 2023.
“The fees LD 1967 proposes would drive up streaming costs for Maine households at an already difficult time for consumers struggling with inflation and an overall higher cost of living,” said Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “The Maine State Chamber is concerned that this bill would also increase the cost of doing business in Maine, disincentivize future infrastructure investments in our state, and, in fact, would punish the very companies that have invested in Maine's infrastructure by making them less competitive. As the poll findings indicate, Maine consumers also oppose LD 1967.”
According to the Executive Summary of the poll published by Saint Anselm College Survey Center: “Maine voters do not wish to pay an additional fee on their streaming services for Community Access Cable Channels. Voters prioritize local government services when asked where they would channel cable television fees. 25% believe those fees should be invested in local schools, while 20% pick infrastructure and 20% pick public safety. Only 6% believe those fees should be invested in community channels.”
Significantly, among those polled, 73 percent subscribe to streaming services, more than double the 33 percent that subscribe to cable TV.
Please click here for the Executive Summary and here for the poll report.
In October, the Maine State Chamber testified in opposition to LD 1967 at a public hearing before the Maine State Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. Please click here for the Chamber’s written testimony.
The poll, conducted by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center, found that 69 percent of voters are against the new streaming tax and only 15 percent support it. The results are based on online surveys of 938 Maine registered voters collected November 28-30, 2023.
“The fees LD 1967 proposes would drive up streaming costs for Maine households at an already difficult time for consumers struggling with inflation and an overall higher cost of living,” said Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “The Maine State Chamber is concerned that this bill would also increase the cost of doing business in Maine, disincentivize future infrastructure investments in our state, and, in fact, would punish the very companies that have invested in Maine's infrastructure by making them less competitive. As the poll findings indicate, Maine consumers also oppose LD 1967.”
According to the Executive Summary of the poll published by Saint Anselm College Survey Center: “Maine voters do not wish to pay an additional fee on their streaming services for Community Access Cable Channels. Voters prioritize local government services when asked where they would channel cable television fees. 25% believe those fees should be invested in local schools, while 20% pick infrastructure and 20% pick public safety. Only 6% believe those fees should be invested in community channels.”
Significantly, among those polled, 73 percent subscribe to streaming services, more than double the 33 percent that subscribe to cable TV.
Please click here for the Executive Summary and here for the poll report.
In October, the Maine State Chamber testified in opposition to LD 1967 at a public hearing before the Maine State Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. Please click here for the Chamber’s written testimony.
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About the Maine Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1889, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is Maine’s largest business association, serving as The Voice of Maine Business on behalf of thousands of employers of all sizes and sectors across the state. The Maine State Chamber focuses on three pillars – Advocacy, Access and Awareness – to advance a positive business climate and secure a strong state economy in which Maine businesses can compete and succeed. For more information, visit www.mainechamber.org.
Founded in 1889, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is Maine’s largest business association, serving as The Voice of Maine Business on behalf of thousands of employers of all sizes and sectors across the state. The Maine State Chamber focuses on three pillars – Advocacy, Access and Awareness – to advance a positive business climate and secure a strong state economy in which Maine businesses can compete and succeed. For more information, visit www.mainechamber.org.
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