Today, Governor Crist signed HB 529,
a bill that will dismantle local control of the television franchise process and
create a new statewide process allowing cable and phone companies to selectively
offer services where they want when they want with virtually no consumer
obligations.
Statement from Brad Ashwell, Consumer
Advocate for Florida PIRG:
"Although we agree with the purported goal of this
legislation, this bill
falls far short of what is required to promote meaningful competition that will
deliver lower prices, more competition, and higher quality of service to all
consumers.
This bill is a hard pill to swallow. However, we hope to
work with the Governor next session on amendments that would create a stronger
enforcement mechanism for what consumer protections do exist in the bill along
with any legislation that serves to protect and encourage public access and
educational programming."
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The Florida Public Interest Research
Group is a non-profit public interest advocacy
organization.
