Public Knowledge Urges Maryland Senate Not to Hang Up on Consumers

Public Knowledge and 10 other consumer advocacy groups submitted a letter to the Maryland Senate Finance Committee opposing the deregulatory Senate Bill 577. The letter explains that SB 577 will leave Maryland consumers unprotected against rate hikes and poor service quality and will remove Maryland’s state and local authorities from the broader conversation about the future of our changing communications networks.

Senior staff attorney with Public Knowledge Jodie Griffin said, "Maryland’s communications networks allow its citizens to conduct business, contact loved ones, and call for help in emergency situations. These services are too vital to the economic and social health of the state to prohibit the Maryland Public Service Commission from acting to protect consumers, especially in the face of impending technological and political changes. We urge the Senate Finance Committee to ensure Maryland’s communications networks serve five core values: service to all, consumer protection, network reliability, competition and interconnection, and public safety.”