Heavy lobbying at the Capitol is trying to end 100 years of telephone regulation in Minnesota that will result in higher prices and less reliable service for land line users. More than two million people in the state still use land lines. Those living in rural areas, on fixed or limited incomes, seniors and medical-monitoring device users would find it harder to stay connected. Expanding broadband is fine, but not at the expense of affordable and reliable land line service. The attorney general, Department of Commerce, AARP, AFL-CIO and Legal Aid are among those opposed to deregulation, and states that have passed this legislation have all seen increased phone service rates.

If you are a land line user, call Rep. Peggy Bennett (651-296-8216) and Sen. Dan Sparks (651-296-9248) and tell them you are opposed to SF736/HF1066 telecommunications deregulation.

 

Lenore Fries

Albert Lea