Posted September 29th, 2012 by seanm
Statement of Sean McLaughlin regarding Governor Brown's signing of SB 1161
“Governor Jerry Brown’s signing message for SB 1161 yesterday
(September 28, 2012), indicates that he believes the promises of
private industry when their advocates say they will protect consumers,
ensure public safety and secure universal access to open internet
services. We note that expert public agencies, consumer advocates and
public interest organizations disagree.
Given the history of telecommunications market failure and the lagging
status of universal access to open internet in California and across
the US, we see a great need for localism, competition and diversity in
the communication networks that form our marketplace of ideas. These
are not trivial goals that industry has failed to meet, in spite of
many past promises, huge subsidies and large profits. So, we do not
agree with the Governor’s assessment of SB 1161.
So on this unhappy occasion - with State government abrogating its
duty to protect consumers and public interests, and completely tying
the hands of local governments across the State – we must mark a
distinct win for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and
their well-funded advocacy for private industry that has come to
dominate State legislation across the nation. [See Bill Moyers report:
http://billmoyers.com/tag/alec/ ]
While Governor Brown’s action in signing SB 1161 into law is very
disappointing, we remain committed and vigilant in support of local
community-based efforts to develop broadband media networks that will
directly serve public, education and government interests through
local community anchor institutions. We appreciate that Legislators made
important revisions to the bill that preserved some existing and legacy
regulations, but regret that they did not address the future harms with
regard to public safety, consumer and privacy protections, and that the bill
forecloses on potential for constructive engagement by local jurisdictions.
And we challenge the Governor to make the promise of universal access to
open internet come true.”
For more information, contact Sean McLaughlin, c: 707-616-2381,
e: sean@accesshumboldt.net
