From the Times-Picayune:

The Senate Commerce Committee struck down a proposal Wednesday to create a 10-cent monthly charge for Internet services that would raise $3.9 million per year to support the attorney general’s cyber crimes unit to combat child predators.

Testifying in favor of House Bill 569, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said the Internet is being used to prey on children and spread child pornography and that he needs more resources to fight the growing number of crimes.

But panel members raised concerns that the charge would be barred by federal law that prohibits the taxing of the Internet. Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, offered an amendment to create a voluntary donation for the crimes unit that could be checked off by customers on their Internet bills, but that idea was rejected by a 3-2 vote.

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