10th Cavalry at Las Guasimas: Spanish-American War Starting in July, you might find that your phone bill is a little less expensive. Congress recently voted to put an end to the “federal excise tax” on long distance calls. The 3% tax was started in 1898 to fund the Spanish-American War. Glad we got that paid off.

Not only is the tax ending, but the last 3 years of taxes will be refunded as part of your 2006 tax return. However, unless you routinely call Albuquerque for the local time, don’t expect a windfall in 2007.