Local Communities Will Continue to Work Closely with the 110th Congress to Ensure that the Needs and Interests of Consumers are Protected.

While 2006 (the 109th Congress) produced significant telecom reform legislation, often at odds with the long-term interests of consumers, the 110th Congress is just getting underway with hearings and consideration of the legislation that has been introduced thus far.

Use the link on Legislation to Watch to track the individual bills that have introduced thus far. 

Telecom reform is underway in America. Its outcome will have a profound effect on your community.

Want to know how your Congressional Representatives voted?  Use this link, select the piece of legislation and click on its link.

Consumers should not trade protection for yet more promises of increased competition and lower rates.

In spite of what the Big Telecoms claim, taxpayers will lose, not win, if Big Telecom gets its way.  Unless local government is at the table to protect your interests as taxpayers, legislation could intentionally or inadvertently strip local governments of control and will cost local communities billions in revenue.

Can you imagine calling the FCC about your cable bill?

We need Congress to stand by existing Federal Law that allows local communities to demand consumer protections for their citizens.  Imagine if you had to complain to the FCC for any dispute you had with your provider?  You'd never see it resolved, and you'd likely never win your issue.  The FCC in Washington—is an agency known for tracking complaints, not resolving them!

Can you imagine Washington, DC being in charge of construction on your street during rush hour?

With the last year's legislation, video service providers would have been ENTITLED to use public streets and sidewalks and would no longer be held accountable by local authorities. We can not permit that type of legislation to rob taxpayers of control and representation on the use of THEIR property!

• Big Telecom should have to get permission to dig up public right-of-ways so as not to cause harm.
  
  
• They should not be allowed to disrupt traffic patterns at will.
  
  
• The local government, NOT the FCC, should retain control to make sure that any damage to public spaces has been properly repaired. Interestingly, Congress specifically stated in 1996, and again in 2002, that they did not want the FCC engaged in this level of oversight.