Stearns questions conflicts of interest in broadband plan

Rep Cliff Stearns (R-FL), the ranking Republican on the House Communications Subcommittee, has sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski saying he hopes the National Broadband Plan will not be "littered with hidden agendas" to pave the way for net neutrality, Title II reclassification and spectrum auction conditions.

He also asked Chairman Genachowski to respond to a number of questions including:

1. Why, specifically, was it necessary to delay the release of the plan to March 17 from the statutorily required deadline of Feb. 17?
2. How much money has been spent in preparing the plan? Please provide a total figure as well as a breakdown, including figures for categories such as...amount spent on studies and reports, amount spent on travel, amount spent on workshops, and amount spent on printing and production.
3. How many staff people were hired specifically to work on the plan? From where were they typically hired?
4. How did the FCC review potential conflicts of interest among employees hired from the private sector?
5. What is your personal opinion on whether broadband services should be classified under Title II?