MONIQUE RUFFNER

HR 8 Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005 S 988 To permanently repeal the estate and generation skipping transfer taxes. Monitor and react to proposals that will eliminate the federal death tax which inhibits the transfer of rural telcos and other rural businesses to heirs. HR 1898 and S 1321 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on telephone and other communications services. Respond to IRS initiatives and other federal policies on telecom excise taxes to ensure the rural industry is on the same footing/playing field as other segments of the communications industry.

HR 214 To promote deployment and investment in Internet Protocol oriented advanced Internet communications services HR 2418 and S 1063 to promote and enhance public safety with regard to Internet Protocol enabled voice services. HR 2533 and S 241 to exempt universal service funds and programs from the federal AntiDeficiency Act HR 2726 to prohibit municipal governments from offering telecommunications, information, or cable services except in certain cases. HR 3146 and S 1349 to eliminate certain local cable franchising requirements. S 284 To distribute non-rural universal service support according to a new formula. S 1147 to amend the IR Code to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures. S 1294 to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband services without restrictions. S 1504 to esablish a market driven telecommunications marketplace through deregulation. S 1583 to strengthen the universal service program and support mechanisims. The underlying initiative behind our interest in all of the above is to preserve a regulatory environment that allows our members to continue serving the high-cost markets no one else cared to, without facing uneconomic artificial competition. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the universal service system operates according to congressional intent and that its contribution and distribution mechanisms are altered to ensure its future. We also engaged in discussions and debates on 700 Megahertz and other spectrum, broadband deployment, prepaid calling cards, industry mergers, intercarrier compensation, truth in billing, local number portability, video services, restransmission, and interconnection mandates and responsibilities.

HR 214 To promote deployment and investment in Internet Protocol oriented advanced Internet communications services HR 2418 and S 1063 to promote and enhance public safety with regard to Internet Protocol enabled voice services. HR 2533 and S 241 to exempt universal service funds and programs from the federal AntiDeficiency Act HR 2726 to prohibit municipal governments from offering telecommunications, information, or cable services except in certain cases. HR 3146 and S 1349 to eliminate certain local cable franchising requirements. S 284 To distribute non-rural universal service support according to a new formula. S 1147 to amend the IR Code to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures. S 1294 to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband services without restrictions. S 1504 to esablish a market driven telecommunications marketplace through deregulation. S 1583 to strengthen the universal service program and support mechanisims. The underlying initiative behind our interest in all of the above is to preserve a regulatory environment that allows our members to continue serving the high-cost markets no one else cared to, without facing uneconomic artificial competition. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the universal service system operates according to congressional intent and that its contribution and distribution mechanisms are altered to ensure its future. We also engaged in discussions and debates on 700 Megahertz and other spectrum, broadband deployment, prepaid calling cards, industry mergers, intercarrier compensation, truth in billing, local number portability, video services, restransmission, and interconnection mandates and responsibilities.

HR 214 To promote deployment and investment in Internet Protocol oriented advanced Internet communications services HR 2418 and S 1063 to promote and enhance public safety with regard to Internet Protocol enabled voice services. HR 2533 and S 241 to exempt universal service funds and programs from the federal AntiDeficiency Act HR 2726 to prohibit municipal governments from offering telecommunications, information, or cable services except in certain cases. HR 3146 and S 1349 to eliminate certain local cable franchising requirements. S 284 To distribute non-rural universal service support according to a new formula. S 1147 to amend the IR Code to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures. S 1294 to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband services without restrictions. S 1504 to esablish a market driven telecommunications marketplace through deregulation. S 1583 to strengthen the universal service program and support mechanisims. The underlying initiative behind our interest in all of the above is to preserve a regulatory environment that allows our members to continue serving the high-cost markets no one else cared to, without facing uneconomic artificial competition. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the universal service system operates according to congressional intent and that its contribution and distribution mechanisms are altered to ensure its future. We also engaged in discussions and debates on 700 Megahertz and other spectrum, broadband deployment, prepaid calling cards, industry mergers, intercarrier compensation, truth in billing, local number portability, video services, restransmission, and interconnection mandates and responsibilities.

HR 2830 Pension Protection Act of 2005 S 219 National Employee Savings and Trust Equity Guarantee Act of 2005. Monitor and respond to policies that will impact NTCA's ability to continue providing quality affordable pension plan options to their members and their employees.

HR 214 To promote deployment and investment in Internet Protocol oriented advanced Internet communications services HR 2418 and S 1063 to promote and enhance public safety with regard to Internet Protocol enabled voice services. HR 2533 and S 241 to exempt universal service funds and programs from the federal AntiDeficiency Act HR 2726 to prohibit municipal governments from offering telecommunications, information, or cable services except in certain cases. HR 3146 and S 1349 to eliminate certain local cable franchising requirements. S 284 To distribute non-rural universal service support according to a new formula. S 1147 to amend the IR Code to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures. S 1294 to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband services without restrictions. S 1504 to esablish a market driven telecommunications marketplace through deregulation. S 1583 to strengthen the universal service program and support mechanisims. The underlying initiative behind our interest in all of the above is to preserve a regulatory environment that allows our members to continue serving the high-cost markets no one else cared to, without facing uneconomic artificial competition. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the universal service system operates according to congressional intent and that its contribution and distribution mechanisms are altered to ensure its future. We also engaged in discussions and debates on 700 Megahertz and other spectrum, broadband deployment, prepaid calling cards, industry mergers, intercarrier compensation, truth in billing, local number portability, video services, restransmission, and interconnection mandates and responsibilities.

HR 214 To promote deployment and investment in Internet Protocol oriented advanced Internet communications services HR 2418 and S 1063 to promote and enhance public safety with regard to Internet Protocol enabled voice services. HR 2533 and S 241 to exempt universal service funds and programs from the federal AntiDeficiency Act HR 2726 to prohibit municipal governments from offering telecommunications, information, or cable services except in certain cases. HR 3146 and S 1349 to eliminate certain local cable franchising requirements. S 284 To distribute non-rural universal service support according to a new formula. S 1147 to amend the IR Code to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures. S 1294 to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband services without restrictions. S 1504 to esablish a market driven telecommunications marketplace through deregulation. S 1583 to strengthen the universal service program and support mechanisims. The underlying initiative behind our interest in all of the above is to preserve a regulatory environment that allows our members to continue serving the high-cost markets no one else cared to, without facing uneconomic artificial competition. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the universal service system operates according to congressional intent and that its contribution and distribution mechanisms are altered to ensure its future. We also engaged in discussions and debates on 700 Megahertz and other spectrum, broadband deployment, prepaid calling cards, industry mergers, intercarrier compensation, truth in billing, local number portability, video services, restransmission, and interconnection mandates and responsibilities.

S 4 Healthy America Act of 2005 S 1244 Longterm Care and Retirement Security Act of 2005 HR 2682 Longterm Care and Retirement Security Act of 2005 Monitor and react to policies that ensure NTCA is able to continue offering its high quality Group Health Plan to members and their employees at affordable rates.

HR 8 Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005 S 988 To permanently repeal the estate and generation skipping transfer taxes. Monitor and react to proposals that will eliminate the federal death tax which inhibits the transfer of rural telcos and other rural businesses to heirs. HR 1898 and S 1321 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on telephone and other communications services. Respond to IRS initiatives and other federal policies on telecom excise taxes to ensure the rural industry is on the same footing/playing field as other segments of the communications industry.