Accepting Trump’s Broadband Money Could Throttle California’s Net Neutrality Protections
Washington, D.C. — Today, the California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on a plan that risks putting the state on a path towards ending its net neutrality protections in exchange for $1.42 billion in federal funds for rural broadband infrastructure. A provision snuck in by President Donald Trump, prevents states that accept this federal funding from enforcing their own net neutrality, affordability and safety protections against telecom companies that receive the funding—including Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, SpaceX and Amazon. Should the commission vote to accept the money, Gov. Gavin Newsom must step in to reject the money and refuse to sign away California’s sovereignty. Demand Progress has launched a campaign and created a call line urging Americans to tell Gov. Newsom to reject Trump’s corrupt broadband deal.
The following is a statement from Demand Progress Campaigns Director Joey DeFrancesco:
“California is careening towards a path that could throttle California’s net neutrality protections. Gov. Newsom has a choice: fight Trump or accept his corrupt deal and willingly let him violate California’s sovereignty. By accepting this money, California risks giving up the power to hold companies like Comcast, AT&T, Verizon and SpaceX accountable when they throttle internet connections and jack up prices. Gov. Newsom must reject Trump’s crooked bargain and instead stand with everyday Californians.”