José E. Serrano: “Whatever happened to localism or local control? This amendment means the Federal Government will tell every local…”

“Whatever happened to localism or local control? This amendment means the Federal Government will tell every local citizen, mayor, and county council member that they may not act in their own best interests. Any such amendment is an attack on the rights of individual citizens speaking through their local leaders to determine if their broadband needs are being met. Congresswoman Blackburn only has to drive an hour and a half down Interstate 24 to Chattanooga to see where the city-owned electric utility owns a broadband network. It charges $70 per month, enough to cover expenses but affordable enough to attract businesses. {time} 2000 Her State passed a bill to prevent nearby towns from joining Chattanooga and to block other communities from doing themselves. Companies have moved jobs or expanded in Chattanooga after learning that the minimum connection speed on the city-owned network was faster than the maximum they had available at headquarters. Preemption will not force anyone to do anything that the municipalities alone don't want to do. This is not about forcing States to do anything, but instead stopping States from choking grassroots competition and stopping States from blocking faster networks or new networks where none exist. It may sound one way, but it is a total different interpretation that we have, and this amendment could really hurt--in fact, may even hurt the efforts that she claims she wants to put forth. I reserve the balance of my time.”