This is a message posted on another list, but I feel it is of interest to everyone on the net. One more urban legend created by bored children: There is a rumor being circulated about email surcharges that would be collected by the local phone companies and turned over to the Postal Service. This rumor has no basis in fact. I checked it out at the website of the US House and found the message below. Anyone can check out any House legislation by using this URL http://www.house.gov/house/searchall.htm. No Postal Internet Tax There is another rumor spreading on the Internet concerning a supposed legislation that would impose a 5-cent surcharge by the U.S. Postal Service on every e-mail delivery. This is a completely false rumor. There is no such bill pending before Congress. "Bill 602P" is not a valid bill number, nor is "Congressman Schnell," the purported author of this bill, a Member of Congress. I have been assured by the Postal Service that it has never contemplated such legislation, nor would it support it if it were proposed. On a related matter, you might be interested to learn that I voted in favor of H.R. 4105, the Internet Tax Freedom Act. This bill, which passed the House in June 1998, established a national moratorium on taxes that would interfere with the free flow of commerce via the Internet. It also established a national policy against federal and state regulation of Internet access. I whole-heartedly support low-cost access to the Internet. I believe the web is an invaluable educational tool, the use of which needs to be encouraged, not thwarted by unnecessary charges. If you have any questions, please contact me. lois.capps@mail.house.gov contact me. lois.capps@mail.house.gov