[RTC List] SB 1462 - veto request

[Sean McLaughlin]

Action Alert - SB 1462, Veto Request

While it is well intentioned, SB 1462 is an unhelpful act by the CA
State Legislature to direct the State Administration's efforts with
regard to broadband policy.  Public interest groups, including the
California Broadband Policy Network (formerly cctpg.org) are
advocating a veto by the Governor.

If enacted, SB 1462 would establish the California Broadband Council
in state government for the purpose of promoting broadband deployment
and broadband adoption throughout the state, impose specified duties
on the council relating to that purpose, and specify the membership of
the council.

Unfortunately, the membership of the council provides no
representation for:  consumers, local governments, tribes, rural
interests, community based organizations or non-profit public
interests.  Lacking this kind of representation, public, education and
local government advocates are opposed to SB 1462.

Many public interest broadband advocates point out that the next
Governor will have the same authority as Governor Schwarzenegger to
convene a Broadband Task Force or other work group to address the
important issues surrounding broadband deployment and adoption.

While SB 1462 sounds good in concept (depending on whether you support
the next Governor!) - in effect, it would tie the hands of the next
Governor and require additional bureaucracy without creating real
benefit for remote rural communities or for public, education and
local government interests.

For these reasons, we are asking local advocates for community
broadband and media access to request that Governor Schwarzenegger
veto SB 1462.

NOTE:
It can be difficult to navigate the channels to reach Governor's
office - online you can send an e-mail via:
http://gov.ca.gov/interact  with subject line "VETO SB1462" and
include your message in the body...
also can try calling:  916-445-2841 (and navigate menus...), or fax:
916-558-3160.

Sincerely.

Sean McLaughlin
Executive Director
Access Humboldt
P.O. Box 157, Eureka, CA 95502
tel: 707-476-1798
dir: 707-476-2873
fax: 707-476-1702
cel: 707-616-2381
DC: 202-495-0616
e: sean at accesshumboldt.net
http://accesshumboldt.net
http://digitalredwoods.net

"Local Voices Through Community Media"