Federal officials staged “a militarized counter-insurgent effort" to "suppress" protesters and residents in Portland, Oregon, said dozens of groups Friday. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fight for the Future, Media Justice and Free Press signed. They dismissed the federal government’s claim that U.S. marshals and Customs and Border Protection officers were protecting federal buildings.
Communications Workers of America “raises a valid point” that the Frontier bankruptcy reorganization submitted to the Public Utilities Commission isn’t final, the Minnesota Commerce Department said Friday in docket 20-504. “Given this uncertainty, the Commission could reasonably determine that its public interest analysis would be aided by allowing the federal bankruptcy proceeding to develop further.” The department earlier said clearing the reorganization was in the public interest to avoid delays to customer service improvements (see 2007090049). Frontier supported the department's initial conclusion that the restructuring is in the public interest. It rejected CWA's call for delay. The reorganization is facing state scrutiny where the carrier sought speedy reviews (see 2007140042).
New York legislators passed a state bill seeking a broadband availability study. A-6679 would direct the Public Service Commission to ask the public rather than rely completely on FCC availability data submitted by companies (see 2007130066). The Senate passed the bill Wednesday after the Assembly supported it 141-0 Monday. “On to the Governor's desk,” tweeted sponsor Assemblyman Sean Ryan (D). Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) will review the bill, a spokesperson said Thursday. In Michigan, where Republicans control both legislative bodies, 18 Democrats floated a bill Wednesday to regulate broadband. HB-5949 by Rep. Darrin Camilleri would amend the Michigan Telecom Act to give the PSC “jurisdiction and authority to regulate all providers of broadband service.” The agency would make rules on “billing transparency, pricing, service quality, dispute resolution, nondiscriminatory treatment, service for vulnerable populations, and discontinuance of service,” and could respond to violations by revoking licenses or issuing cease and desist orders. The Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association "opposes any legislation that attempts to regulate the Internet at the state level," which "would have a chilling effect on investment, which would ultimately harm consumers," an MCTA spokesperson emailed Thursday. AT&T didn’t comment.
NAB CEO Gordon Smith praised the Washington, D.C., Council Thursday for approving an amendment that would remove a new tax on local businesses that buy advertising on TV, in print or on digital outlets. The 3% sales tax “would have placed an undue burden on small businesses and local media already struggling amidst the pandemic,” Smith said. “This should serve as an example for other local governments that such misguided taxes on advertising are counterproductive in stimulating local economies and will continue to be met with fervent opposition.” The amendment, circulated by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), rearranges funding sources and cuts spending to cover the $18.4 million projected to be raised by the tax. Mendelson, who proposed the tax, said in a statement it's a policy choice he now regrets.
The California Public Utilities Commission turned to wireline resiliency after last week’s vote to require 72-hour backup power at wireless cellsites (see 2007160065). In a Wednesday ruling, CPUC President Marybel Batjer sought comments by Aug. 10, replies Aug. 19, on proposed requirements on keeping networks online during power outages and emergencies.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities acted rationally in requiring cable operators to prorate bills for canceling customers, the state told the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a Tuesday brief (in Pacer) in docket 20-1773. Reverse a preliminary injunction awarded Altice in January by U.S. District Court in Trenton (see 2005210004), New Jersey said. The district court didn’t give “any opportunity for the parties to fully brief the merits and also sua sponte issued a preliminary injunction in favor of Altice,” it said. The Cable Act stops states from regulating rates, but the BPU rule doesn’t affect prices, New Jersey said. At the district court Wednesday, Magistrate Judge Zahid Quraishi ordered (in Pacer) Altice to file motion for judgment on the pleadings and New Jersey to file motion for stay of proceedings by Aug. 21.
The FCC Wireline Bureau seeks comment by Aug. 20, replies Sept. 4 on its proposed E-rate eligible services list for funding year 2021, said a public notice Tuesday on docket 13-184.
The FCC Wireline Bureau announced counties with conditional forbearance for eligible telecom carriers that receive high-cost USF support, effective Sept. 18, from the obligation to offer Lifeline-supported voice services. Monday's public notice doesn't apply to Lifeline-only ETCs.
Maine’s cable à la carte law violates the First Amendment, Free State Foundation President Randolph May and Senior Fellow Andrew Long said Friday. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering Maine’s appeal of a lower court granting Comcast and programmers preliminary injunction on such grounds (see 2006190007).
New York officials are investigating Twitter’s hack (see 2007160074), Attorney General Letitia James (D) said Thursday evening. The hack “raises serious concerns about data security and how platforms like Twitter could be used to harm public debate,” she said. A company spokesperson Friday cited Twitter's ongoing updates on the matter.