The federal government's planned deregulation of internet service might be unpopular with the public, but Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has no plans to join a lawsuit to stop it.

The Federal Communications Commission last week voted along party lines to repeal a 2015 "net neutrality" rule. The repeal would allow internet-service providers to speed up or slow down or even block content from websites.

Proponents say that the repeal would incentivize service providers to improve their services and draw new players into the market. But opponents point out that by allowing providers the ability to slow or even squelch content, free-trade and free-speech would be harmed.

So far, opponents of the ruling are winning the battle for public opinion.

A University of Maryland poll last week found that 83 percent of Americans support keeping the 2015 net neutrality rule. That includes 75 percent of Republicans, 89 percent of Democrats and 86 percent of independents.

More than a dozen state attorneys general have said they would join litigation against the FCC repeal, which New York's Democratic attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, said he would lead.

DeWine, a Republican running for Ohio governor, is sitting it out.

"We do not have any plans to join in that litigation at this time," a spokesman, Dan Tierney, said Monday. "We have not weighed in on this issue."

Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci of Wadsworth, declined to comment, while Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor didn't respond to questions.

The two candidates vying to fill DeWine's job are split on whether DeWine should sue.

“When a law is broken and Ohioans are hurt, I will be the first to sue — I don't care who's on the other side," state Auditor Dave Yost, the Republican candidate for attorney general, said in an email. "But politics doesn't belong in the attorney general's office, and a mere political difference of opinion doesn't rise to the level of a lawsuit.”

Steve Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney who is seeking the Democratic attorney general nomination, said the FCC's handling of the matter begs significant legal questions.

"Anyone can see that there were obvious problems with the FCC's public feedback process with potentially millions of fake comments filed," Dettelbach said in an email. "When career politicians like Mike DeWine shrug off blatant problems and ignore substandard work just to keep their political allies happy, it shows why we need an attorney general who will be an independent voice for the rule of law and protect all Ohioans."

The Democratic candidates for governor also slammed DeWine's decision.

"DeWine has a responsibility to stand up to Trump and fight for a fair and open internet," said former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton of Copley. "It continues a pattern for DeWine of siding with greedy corporations at the expense of working people. The FCC vote to undo net neutrality protections was nothing more than an attack on everyday citizens for the benefit of the super greedy."

Former state Rep. Connie Pillch of Montgomery agreed.

"The FCC's net neutrality ruling is a blatant attack on an open internet, American consumers, and the rights of states — in order to allow unaccountable corporations to profit at our expense," she said in an email.

In a fundraising email, former U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray said the FCC decision deserves more scrutiny.

"It will affect both the speed and the pricing of everything we do online, from commerce to entertainment," he said.

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni, D-Boardman, said a few big internet providers shouldn't be allowed to decide what to carry or at what speed.

"I'm uncomfortable with any setup where a few people have power over everybody else," he said.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O'Neill said he disagrees with the FCC ruling but doesn't want a lawsuit.

"The internet was built by the military with public funds," O'Neill said. "It should not now be turned into a profit-making machine for a select few. However, I do not advocate litigating this national issue with state resources."

mschlade@dispatch.com

@martyschladen

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