After Backlash To AT&T Chicanery, California Salvages Tough Net Neutrality Law

After Backlash To AT&T Chicanery, California Salvages Tough Net Neutrality Law

6 years ago
Anonymous $cyhBy-qkd5

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180705/11235340180/after-backlash-to-att-chicanery-california-salvages-tough-net-neutrality-law.shtml

As we recently noted, California was on the cusp of passing the toughest net neutrality law in the nation, a bill the EFF declared to be the "gold standard" for state-level rules. But late last month AT&T and Comcast lobbyists descended on California to scuttle the effort, convincing California Assemblyman Miguel Santiago to neuter the most important portions of the proposal. Santiago, no stranger to AT&T campaign cash, rushed through a series of last-minute amendments behind closed doors without providing the bill's backer or the public a chance to chime in.

But Santiago quickly felt the ire of net neutrality activists and internet users, including a new crowdfunded billboard intended to shame Santiago. Lo and behold, lawmakers including Santiago and the original bill's backer (State Senator Scott Wiener) held a press conference today to announce that they'd come to an agreement, and would be largely restoring the bill to its original form.