Communities throughout the state of Massachusetts are working to find ways to increase their revenue and one of those ways is to begin taxing phone companies for the poles and equipment that they place on public property. Previously telephone companies had been exempt from this tax despite the fact that other businesses, such as electric companies, have had to pay it. Earlier this year, a ruling found that there was no reason the phone companies couldn’t be taxed as well. Verizon has argued that the tax exemption is necessary to encourage network expansion and is appealing this ruling to the State Supreme Court. The cities are allowed to begin taxing the equipment but must hold the money in escrow until the court case is complete. The phone companies have indicated that they plan to pass the cost of these taxes on to customers.