The groups held a news conference in Trenton today to help counter possible efforts by lawmakers to revive a telecommunications deregulation bill that passed the state's Assembly earlier this year but stalled in the Senate
Clik here to view.
A coalition sought the advancement of an alternate telecommunications deregulation bill that passed the state’s Assembly earlier this year but stalled in the Senate after Gov. Chris Christie declined to say whether he supported the plan.TRENTON — A coalition of groups that includes the AARP urged lawmakers today to consider an alternate telecommunications deregulation bill that they say provides greater consumer protection than one that stalled earlier this year.
The groups held a news conference in Trenton today to help counter possible efforts by lawmakers to revive a telecommunications deregulation bill that passed the state’s Assembly earlier this year but stalled in the Senate after Gov. Chris Christie declined to say whether he supported the plan.
Under the alternative plan — co-sponsored by State Senators Bob Smith (D-Middlesex) and Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) — would weaken regulations for phone and cable companies while preserving rate caps on basic service and maintain state oversight of landlines.
“New Jersey must remain committed to protecting seniors and low-income families through effective regulation of landlines,” said Smith, echoing other speakers who said the landlines served as a lifeline for many residents who lost cell phone connections during the recent rash of storms.
The bill that failed to get a senate vote earlier this year would have removed regulations such as rate caps on the cable and telephone industry, which supporters say would make it more competitive and attractive to business.
The bill had the support of key Democrats, including Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) and State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union).
The bill would also eliminate that oversight and roll back several other rules, including compensating customers for long service failures and protecting them from a practice in which local and long-distance carriers are switched without consent, known as slamming.
“Rather than align the state’s regulatory framework with the competitive market, this legislation takes a giant leap backwards, inexplicably increasing regulatory oversight of the state’s telecommunications and cable providers that would ultimately stifle economic growth and innovation," said Dennis M. Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey.
The AARP lobbied hard against the bill and plans to do the same in support of the alternative plan.
“Complete deregulation of the telecom industry in New Jersey will result in worse service, longer waits and higher prices,” said AARP State Director Jim Dieterle.
Christie has not said whether he would sign any bills.
Related coverage:
• Stalled bill to deregulate telecom industry could be revived in N.J. Senate
• 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
