TRENTON —A controversial bill to deregulate the telecom industry in New Jersey, stalled since April, could be revived in the state Senate today. State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, who sponsors the legislation (S2664), said he plans to amend it on the Senate floor to address concerns of consumer advocacy groups and the League of Municipalities. Lesniak said he hopes the...
State Sen. Ray Lesniak, the sponsor of proposed legislation to deregulate the telecommunications industry.TRENTON —A controversial bill to deregulate the telecom industry in New Jersey, stalled since April, could be revived in the state Senate today.
State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, who sponsors the legislation (S2664), said he plans to amend it on the Senate floor to address concerns of consumer advocacy groups and the League of Municipalities. Lesniak said he hopes the full Senate will vote on it on Wednesday , the same day it is scheduled to take up the budget.
“That’s the plan ," said Lesniak (D-Union). " We’ll see what happens. One never knows, right?”
But the amendments, obtained in draft form by the Star-Ledger, have not won over the bill’s biggest critics.
“They’re very minor, minor changes,” said Stefanie Brand, the state ratepayer advocate. “It really doesn’t restore the consumer protections that we’re looking for.”
The changes would allow residents 65 and older with the most basic landline telephone service to continue to have their rates regulated by the state Board of Public Utilities. Under the amendment, those elderly residents would be folded into the state’s Lifeline program, which currently provides low-cost basic telephone service only for the low-income elderly and the disabled.
Verizon would also have to provide public access channels to municipalities, as well as to t he equipment necessary to broadcast them live.
An earlier version of the bill would have deregulated rates for the most basic landline users and did not require companies with a statewide franchise to give towns the return feed necessary to broadcast proceedings live.
The bill has proved a tough sell politically. AARP said its members made 18,000 calls to state lawmakers’ offices urging them to oppose it. Doug Johnston, a lobbyist for the organization, said the amendments change little in the bill and that the organization would not let up on lobbying against it.
“The legislative sponsors know it’s highly unpopular, and it’s highly unpopular for a reason,” he said. “The amendments we’ve seen are designed to pander to seniors without actually helping resolve the many significant issues.”
Lesniak argued that the bill would foster more competition , which would lead to lower rates for consumers.
“The consumer protections are going to be provided by the competition afforded in this bill,” he said.
The bill appeared to be on a fast-track for passage earlier this year, but stalled after the camapign against it. At one point, Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Glouxcester) did not plan to post it without Gov. Chris Christie agreeing to sign it .
Christie, for his part, said on an AARP conference call with 17,000 seniors that he had "grave concerns about the bill as currently written because of the lack of protection for seniors."
Previous Coverage:
• Gov. Christie says he has 'grave concerns' about bill to deregulate basic phone service
• Telephone and cable deregulation bill's future uncertain in N.J. Senate
• N.J. Senate stalls action on bill to deregulate telecommunications industry
• Verizon N.J. president vows to not raise basic telephone rates for 2 years
• Consumer groups ask N.J. senators to vote 'no' on cable TV, telephone service deregulation
• N.J. Assembly passes bill to end most regulations of basic cable, land line telephone services
• N.J. Senate panel clears bill that decreases regulations on telecommunications companies