The California Public Utilities Commission are considering taxing your text messages.

A texting surcharge would be used to help keep the Public Purpose Program budget viable. The CPUC says the program makes phone service available to low-income residents. The programs budget has risen from $670 million in 2011 to $998 million in 2017 as revenue from the telecom industries has declined nearly $5 billion in the same span. According to various estimates , the proposed new fee would cost wireless customers $44.5 million a year. A vote on the proposal could come as early as Thursday.