California's Net Neutrality Law Not Quite Dead Yet Last week, AT&T scored yet another major victory after it convinced California Assemblyman Miguel Santiago to scuttle what could have potentially been one of the toughest state net neutrality laws in the country. Santiago, at AT&T's behest, included numerous last-minute amendments to the original bill backed by State Senator Scott Wiener. The amendments weakened all of the key areas AT&T wanted weakened (zero rating, interconnection, double dipping access fees), then Santiago rushed through a vote before even Wiener could debate the changes.

Wiener then said he'd be pulling the bill entirely, arguing it no longer effectively protected consumers. But the bill isn't quite dead yet. CNET notes that Wiener and Santiago have agreed to sit down and hash out their differences, though Wiener noted there would be no bill if Santiago continued trying to neuter its most important provisions. "We've agreed to make a good faith effort to make amendments to the bill in order to pass strong net neutrality," he said in an interview. "But as I've made clear in the past, there are some protections that must be in the bill. Without them, this would not be real net neutrality." If Santiago continues his efforts to prevent a real bill from passing, Wiener said he'll simply try next year after the midterms have shaken things up a little. "We are in the danger zone," Wiener told CNET. "If I am forced to pull the bill and try again next year I will. But we don't have time. We need to pass a strong net neutrality bill this year." More than half the states in the nation are pursuing state-level net neutrality rules in the wake of the Trump FCC's historically unpopular killing of federal rules last fall. ISPs and the FCC have hinted at suing states that try to protect consumers, though legal experts argue such efforts would be standing on legally unsound footing. Meanwhile, lawsuits still have a good chance at reversing the FCC repeal, thanks in large part to the More than half the states in the nation are pursuing state-level net neutrality rules in the wake of the Trump FCC's historically unpopular killing of federal rules last fall. ISPs and the FCC have hinted at suing states that try to protect consumers, though legal experts argue such efforts would be standing on legally unsound footing. Meanwhile, lawsuits still have a good chance at reversing the FCC repeal, thanks in large part to the bizarre and unethical behavior by agency boss Ajit Pai during the proceeding.







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Most recommended from 16 comments



maartena

Elmo

Premium Member

join:2002-05-10

Orange, CA 14 recommendations maartena Premium Member Surprise Surprise....



I voiced my opinion by writing him. And because his website needed a zipcode that was IN his district, I used One Wilshire as my address.



People like him need to be challenged and reminded that they work for the PEOPLE, not for corporations.... Miguel Santiago's district covers downtown Los Angeles, including several datacenters, AND one of the biggest west coast hubs of internet traffic: One Wilshire, which holds 30 floors of data centers and communication equipment..... and surprise surprise.... one of the tenants there is AT&T.I voiced my opinion by writing him. And because his website needed a zipcode that was IN his district, I used One Wilshire as my address.People like him need to be challenged and reminded that they work for the PEOPLE, not for corporations....

TIGERON

join:2008-03-11

Boston, MA 12 recommendations TIGERON Member This means Randall and Brian are very worried They should be. Public anger is at an all time high.

Harddrive

Proud American and Infidel since 1968.

Premium Member

join:2000-09-20

Mission, TX 10 recommendations Harddrive Premium Member Look up "piece of sh*t" in the encyclopedia. You'll find a picture of California Assemblyman Miguel Santiago. Ostracus

join:2011-09-05

Henderson, KY 8 recommendations Ostracus Member Dirty deeds done dirt cheap. quote: convinced California Assemblyman Miguel Santiago to scuttle what could have potentially been one of the toughest state net neutrality laws in the country. Santiago, at AT&T's behest, included numerous last-minute amendments to the original bill backed by State Senator Scott Wiener. Anyone know how much a politician goes for? I have a coupon. Anyone know how much a politician goes for? I have a coupon. AppFarmer

join:2016-05-24

Salinas, CA ·AT&T Wireless Br..

·Charter

7 recommendations AppFarmer Member Democrats in the state legislature are heading back to the negotiating table Above from the CNet article. Note the lack of mention of any other party. Democrats currently have a supermajority in both houses and the governorship. They can pass anything on the party line (even taxes, which require a supermajority in CA) and no other party can pass anything without their approval.



Also from the article: "Even though Santiago's critics have accused him of caving to pressure from industry lobbyists, the industry still opposes the amended bill."



Of course they oppose it. When the fox is guarding the henhouse, he still hates the requirement to not eat "too many" chickens when the possibility of a smorgasbord awaits if the rule fails entirely.