Budget Proposal to Allow PSC to Deregulate Basic Phone Service, Eliminate Review of Phone Company Mergers, Reduce Landlord Liability for Shared Meters, and Reduce Review of Cable TV Opposed

The Ranking Minority Member of the New York State Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, Senator Kevin S. Parker, has asked Governor Cuomo to withdraw from his Executive Budget proposal several substantive measuress that would amend longstanding Public Service Law provisions.  The Governor’s budget request would give the PSC power to deregulate basic phone service, eliminate review of phone company mergers, “streamline” approval of cable TV franchises, and reduce landlord shared meter liability, in order to save $875,000.  A copy of Senator Parker’s letter is here.  

For background, see

BUDGET BILL WOULD GIVE PSC AUTHORITY TO WAIVE TELEPHONE REGULATION AND ALLOW MAJOR INCREASES IN BASIC PHONE SERVICE AND MERGERS WITHOUT HEARINGS, March 5, 2014

PROPOSED BUDGET BILL WOULD ERODE STATE UTILITY POLICY AGAINST SHARED METERS, February 14, 2014.

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