Save Muni Wireless

ACT NOW: Contact State Representatives

May 27 update: This action alert has been superceded. New action alert here.

ACTION ALERT

The Texas Legislature could make it illegal for towns to set up broadband networks. Texas House Bill 789 currently is being heard by the House Committee on Regulated Industries. One small provision buried in this 330-page bill outlaws municipal networks.

The big phone companies have been fighting to control who provides broadband. We must let the committee know that the ban on muni networks must be dropped. Broadband is too important to leave in the hands of a few special interests.

For more information on the effort to support municipal broadband, visit http://savemuniwireless.org/

Take action now to support increased choice for broadband. Please send your state representatives the following message:

Remove all restrictions on municipal broadband from HB 789. Texans want more broadband choices, not fewer. Every Texas community deserves the right to decide how best to build its critical infrastructure.

Here is what you can do.

Action in 30 Seconds: Notify your Representatives

Take action now. Consumers Union has provided a one-click web form that will send your message to your state representatives.

Visit http://cu.convio.net/savetexascommunityinternet

The form provides a boilerplate message. You may edit the form and write your own message. Please ask your representative:

Remove all restrictions on municipal broadband from HB 789. Texans want more broadband choices, not fewer. Every Texas community deserves the right to decide how best to build its critical infrastructure.

If you have time for nothing else, send that form.

If you have the time to contact your representative directly, by phone or by fax, that is most effective. You can find the contact information for your representative here: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm

Contact Regulated Industries Chair and Committee Members

The House Committee on Regulated Industries is preparing a watered-down replacement of the anti-muni language. All indications show that the replacement will still offer the big phone companies a veto over municipal projects. Action is required now to let the committee know it should strike the muni restrictions completely.

If your state representative sits on the committee, please contact them and let them know you are a constituent who opposes limitations on municipal broadband.

Contact committee chair and bill author Rep. Phil King, and let him know that you oppose limitations on municipal broadband.

The representatives on this committee are:

Let Us Know

If you send a letter or fax to your representatives, please send us a copy of your letter so we can track who has been contacted. You can send copies either by email to info@savemuniwireless.org or by fax to 815-301-8302. If you receive a response, please let us know.