Interestingly the fee was created federally:<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_television_franchise_fee" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_television_franchise_fee</a><p>Netflix etc does not meet at least 4 of the 6 justifications. ISPs would likely meet them all. So to my eye, that's where this tax needs to be paid.<p>I am guessing ISPs explicitly excluded from paying?<p>Sadly none of this is in the article...<p>From Wiki:<p>* Revenue - a source of general revenue for the government which can be raised without raising taxes.<p>* Rent - rent for the use of public land as right-of-way by the company for its cables.<p>* Exclusivity - compensation to the government for allowing the cable operator to maintain a de facto monopoly on cable service in the area.<p>* Diversity - it is in the public interest to fund government facilities providing public, educational, and government access (PEG) channels that promote diversity in the community.<p>* Benefit - compensation for the public relations benefits the cable provider gains by having public, educational, and governmental channels on the cable.<p>* Regulatory - compensation to the government for the cost of regulating cable television: consultants, auditors, administrators, and inspectors.