GOP state senators in Connecticut block net neutrality bill with procedural trick

Republican state senators in Connecticut used a procedural trick to block a bill that would let the state regulate the internet. The bill failed in the state's Energy and Technology Committee.  The committee includes two state Senate Democrats and two state Senate Republicans. When House members are included, Democrats have a majority in the committee. State Sen Paul Formica (R), co-chairman of the panel, split the committee so only the senators were allowed to vote. With two senators voting against the measure and two voting for it, the bill failed in the committee. “It was something that we think is a federal issue and we think should be handled at the federal level,” said State Sen Formica. “We didn’t want to subject our state to any lawsuits which we knew would be coming.” “At this point it seemed to be the proper procedure to just end the conversation,” he said.