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MontanaMontana governor signs executive order to restore net neutrality in state
Montana governor signs executive order to restore net neutrality in state
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock poses with high school students after
signing an executive order to restore net neutrality in the state.
Photo via Steve Bullock/Twitter
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Montana Gov. Steve Bullock on Monday issued an executive order to protect net neutrality in his state.
The order requires internet service providers with state contracts to adhere to net neutrality principles. Several major ISPs, including AT&T, Charter and Verizon hold state contracts with Montana.
"There has been a lot of talk around the country about how to respond
to the recent decision by Federal Communications Commission to repeal
net neutrality rules, which keep the internet free and open. It's time
to actually do something about it," Bullock said in a statement.
"This is a simple step states can take to preserve and protect net
neutrality. We can't wait for folks in Washington, D.C to come to their
senses and reinstate these rules.".
Bullock, a Democrat, is the first governor to attempt to thwart the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission's decision to repeal net neutrality. But other states have also responded to the FCC's actions.
Earlier this month, lawmakers in six states introduced bills that would also require ISPs with government contracts to follow net neutrality rules.
And last week when 21 states sued the agency for repealing net neutrality.
With different states enacting different rules on net neutrality, ISPs say they could run into problems.
"Following patchwork of legislation or regulation is costly and makes it even harder to invest in networks," Matt Polka, president of the American Cable Association, an ISP lobbying group, told The New York Times.
But Bullock said Monday that his actions were based on consumer choice.
"When the FCC repealed its net neutrality rules, it said consumers should choose," Bullock said Monday. "The State of Montana is one of the biggest consumers of internet services in our state. Today we're making our choice clear: we want net neutrality. It's good government, and our citizens who use online services rely on it."
The order requires internet service providers with state contracts to adhere to net neutrality principles. Several major ISPs, including AT&T, Charter and Verizon hold state contracts with Montana.
Bullock, a Democrat, is the first governor to attempt to thwart the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission's decision to repeal net neutrality. But other states have also responded to the FCC's actions.
Earlier this month, lawmakers in six states introduced bills that would also require ISPs with government contracts to follow net neutrality rules.
And last week when 21 states sued the agency for repealing net neutrality.
With different states enacting different rules on net neutrality, ISPs say they could run into problems.
"Following patchwork of legislation or regulation is costly and makes it even harder to invest in networks," Matt Polka, president of the American Cable Association, an ISP lobbying group, told The New York Times.
But Bullock said Monday that his actions were based on consumer choice.
"When the FCC repealed its net neutrality rules, it said consumers should choose," Bullock said Monday. "The State of Montana is one of the biggest consumers of internet services in our state. Today we're making our choice clear: we want net neutrality. It's good government, and our citizens who use online services rely on it."
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