Hundreds March Through Capitol Demanding a Tax On Big Tech
HARRISBURG – Today, 300 Pennsylvanians marched through the halls of the Capitol to celebrate Pennsylvania’s “Affordability Champions” – the 42 legislators who signed onto the Tax Billionaires, Fund PA revenue plan and support the digital ad tax bill. The digital ad tax would generate $500 million in new, recurring revenue, paid in full by the world’s wealthiest tech corporations like Google, Meta, Amazon and TikTok.
Activists stamped a warning sign on the doors of Senate Republicans at risk of caving to pressure from Big Tech billionaires determined to stop the tax on Big Tech.
After the office visits with legislators, hundreds of people congregated on the Capitol steps for a rally and press conference, joined by Affordability Champions, including Representatives Elizabeth Fiedler, Rick Krajewski, John Inglis, Aerion Abney, Jen Mazzocco, Heather Boyd, Lisa Borowski, Chris Rabb, Lindsay Powell, Ismail Smith Wade El, Paul Takac and Senators Lindsey Williams, Katie Muth, Nikil Saval, as well as Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
In a huge victory for the Tax Billionaires, Fund PA campaign, the House Finance Committee will vote on H.B. 1678 on Wednesday, June 3. The bill is led by prime sponsors Representatives Fiedler, Inglis and Abney, and would extend the state’s gross receipts tax to digital advertising platforms, marking a significant step forward after sustained pressure from working people across Pennsylvania.
The tax on Big Tech is a cornerstone of the Tax Billionaires, Fund PApackage, which would raise nearly $6 billion in new revenue by closing corporate tax loopholes, taxing billionaires’ unearned income, and requiring Big Tech to pay taxes on the digital ads that profit off Pennsylvania consumers and their data.
As momentum for a tax on Big Tech builds, Senate Republicans with financial ties to tech billionaires are at risk of being manipulated by their corporate donors. Some Senate leaders have already refused to engage with constituents and advocates seeking meetings about the tax on Big Tech. Every Republican member of the state Senate has accepted money from Big Tech – more than $9 million total since 2017. Some of the most notable recipients of Big Tech campaign cash in the state Senate include:
Senate President Kim Ward who has received over $3 million from TikTok US investor Jeff Yass and $136,000 from Amazon lobbyists or PACs run by Amazon lobbyists.
Appropriations Chair Scott Martin who has received over $1 million from Yass and Meta and Amazon lobbyists.
Senators Jarrett Coleman and Tracy Pennycuick who have received $934,000 and $656,000 from Yass respectively
Senator Rosemary Brown who has received $11,000 from Yass and Amazon lobbyists.
On Tuesday, June 2, more than 200 SEIU members will continue the pressure with a lobby day and press conference, pressing legislators to pass the digital ad tax and use the new recurring revenue to protect working people from devastating healthcare cuts.
Representative Aerion Abney, Chair of Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation and co-prime sponsor of the digital ad tax, said:
“This bill is smart economics, which is why I’m confident it will pass. Just by enforcing the same rules that apply to all other big companies, the digital ad tax will raise half a billion dollars, paid in full by tech giants like Google, Meta, Amazon and TikTok. These corporations are making big money off Pennsylvania consumers, and they need to be held to the same standards as other companies doing business here.”
Kordell Booth, member of Pennsylvania Stands Up, said:“The tax on Big Tech has momentum, and that’s exactly why tech billionaires are panicking. They’re scrambling to line up Senate Republicans they believe will kill this bill and protect their profits. We’re calling on Senators Kim Ward, Scott Martin, Jarrett Coleman, Tracy Pennycuick, and Rosemary Brown to reject that manipulation, cut ties with Big Tech, and stand with Pennsylvanians instead. As a member of the younger generation, I see how bad the economy is and how hard it is to find a job or just basic housing. The economy is built for billionaires - not for people like me. It’s time we change that.”
Jeremy Tifa, member of Make The Road Action PA, said:
“It is thanks to organizing that the digital ad tax on Big Tech is scheduled for a vote. We see what tech companies are doing to our state: Invading our communities with data centers, driving up our bills, and exploiting our personal information for profit. On Wednesday, we expect lawmakers to recognize that truth, and pass this tax to hold these companies accountable.
“My grandfather recently got sick and his medical bills were so high, even with insurance, that our family had to fundraise whatever we can to take care of him. This isn’t right. While Big Tech billionaires are hoarding profits from our data, our families are suffering and squeezing every penny to cover basic human rights. We’re thankful for the elected officials who are standing up to tax billionaires and fund working people’s needs.”
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Pennsylvanians for Accountability from Yass, Billionaires and Corporations (PAYBAC) Table is a coalition of state-wide organizations that lead the All Eyes on Yass and Tax Billionaires, Fund PA campaigns.
Tax Billionaires, Fund PA is endorsed by the Action Center on Race and the Economy, Center for Coalfield Justice, Free the Ballot, Little Sis, Make the Road PA, One Pennsylvania, PA United, Pennsylvania Stands Up, PA Local Progress, PA Working Families Power, SEIU State Council, SEIU 32BJ, SEIU 668 and SEIU Healthcare PA.
Additional supporters include: 1Hood, 215 People’s Alliance, American Federation of Teacher Local 2026, Amistad Law Project, Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance (API PA), Healing Communities PA, High School Democrats of Philadelphia, Philly Black Worker Project, Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Philadelphia Unemployment Project, POWER Interfaith, Reclaim Philadelphia, Transit for All PA!, UUJusticePA and VietLead.
The PAYBAC Table Steering Committee includes ACRE Campaigns, PA Working Families, POWER, PA Stands Up, OnePA, Free the Ballot, Make the Road Action PA and more.
