AARP Wisconsin Legislative Alert

phone

Please call – if the local telephone deregulation legislation is enacted local telephone companies are likely to shift costs to people who only have basic phone service. They will likely end up paying more so that phone companies can “cherrypick” other, more desirable customers. That is one of AARP Wisconsin’s main concerns about this legislation.
There are additional talking points below regarding the erosion of additional consumer protections.
Feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested in calling their Legislators in opposition to the local phone deregulation legislation – Senate Bill 285.
This is urgent – if they don’t hear from you the legislature could vote on these bills in the next few days.
AARP Wisconsin Legislative Alert
Tell your Senator: Oppose legislation that allows local telephone companies to charge you what they want - even if there is no competition!
Why is this important? Currently local telephone companies are required to follow state regulations that protect consumers who purchase telephone services. As a consumer, you are currently protected because phone companies have to go the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. There also has to be competition in your area before the companies are exempt from certain requirements.
AARP opposes the local telephone deregulation bill because they erode basic consumer protections.
The telephone deregulation bill, Senate Bill 285:

  • Will exempt phone companies from a range of regulations even if there is no competition for your business.
  • Allow telephone companies to change the price of a package or bundle of services without having to notify you, the consumer, in advance.
  • Leave it up to consumers to read and understand the fine print in phone company contracts. Currently Wisconsin Public Service Commission review industry contracts.
  • Allow telephone companies to shift costs from one consumer to another.

Both the Wisconsin state Senate and Assembly have not yet voted on this issue and are waiting to hear from you.
Call and leave a message for
your State Senator during business hours TODAY at
1-800-362-9472
and tell him/her:
Help protect vulnerable consumers by opposing
The telephone deregulation bill!
Thank you for helping to protect consumers! 3/08
Gail Sumi
State Issues Advocacy Director
AARP Wisconsin
222 West Washington Ave., Suite 600
Madison, WI 53703