LD1761 - Raise the Bar

(2014)

An Act To Ensure That Large Public Utility Reorganizations Advance the Economic Development and Information Access Goals of the State

Sponsored by Sponsored by: Rep. Barry Hobbins (D – Saco)

What is the bill?

Everyone in our state has a stake in the fate of our telecommunications infrastructure. It is crucial to our economy. When large telecommunications utilities change hands, the reorganization has to go through a review process at the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Under current law, the standard for approval is very modest and a company only has to prove that the sale will do no harm. In 2007, when Verizon was sold to FairPoint Communications, workers and community members warned that it would be bad for Maine, but did not have the tools in law to stop it. They were proven right. LD 1761 would have established a stronger review standard to ensure that future sales of large telecommunication utilities benefit Maine communities, consumers and our economic development goals. This bill was passed by the Legislature and vetoed by Governor Paul LePage.

What happened?

Defeated (Passed by Legislature, Vetoed by Gov. LePage)

Votes