Washington Becomes the First State to Approve Its Own Net Neutrality Rules

[demmiblue]

Source: Time/AP

(OLYMPIA, Wash.) — Washington became the first state Monday to set up its own net-neutrality requirements after U.S. regulators repealed Obama-era rules that banned internet providers from blocking content or interfering with online traffic.

“We know that when D.C. fails to act, Washington state has to do so,” Gov. Jay Inslee said before signing the measure that lawmakers passed with bipartisan support. “We know how important this is.”

The Federal Communications Commission voted in December to gut U.S. rules that meant to prevent broadband companies such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon from exercising more control over what people watch and see on the internet. The regulations also prohibited providers from favoring some sites and apps over others.

Because the FCC prohibited state laws from contradicting its decision, opponents of the Washington law have said it would lead to lawsuits.

Read more: http://time.com/5187117/washington-net-neutrality-rules/?utm_campaign=time&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&xid=time_socialflow_twitter

[Moostache]

1. This is just making it easier to split the country into two nations...

The utter lack of accountability on the right - where bad outcomes are ALWAYS the "Democrats fault" and good outcomes are ALWAYS "Conservative Values" (even when they are neither) has led to a complete breakdown of the current system.

Civil War II is coming, I believe that we should simply avoid fighting them and partition the country right now...

[Hortensis]

4. Does Washington split at the Cascades too? :)

Things get pretty conservative once you leave the coast and head over those mountains to the east.

Good for Washington for leading the way to the courts. If we get control of Congress on NOVEMBER 6, our legislators may well pass a net neutrality bill that's basically already drafted. There's huge support for it, and the threat of varying states laws would only encourage passage.

AT&T wants Congress to draft a net neutrality law. Here’s why that’s a big deal.
The prospect of having to comply with perhaps dozens of state-level net neutrality rules is a nightmare for Internet providers. Although the FCC has said it will take states to court if they seek to circumvent its decision, companies such as AT&T want a guarantee of stability.

“Congressional action is needed to establish an ‘Internet Bill of Rights’ that applies to all internet companies and guarantees neutrality, transparency, openness, non-discrimination and privacy protection for all internet users,” Stephenson wrote in the ad.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/01/24/att-is-pushing-for-a-net-neutrality-law-that-covers-isps-and-tech-companies-too/?utm_term=.7024b9e63796

The "bill of rights" I want would treat internet service and accessibility as a utility.

[Aristus]

2. That's my Governor!

Thank you, Governor Inslee!

[montanacowboy]

3. Mine too!

Jay Inslee next President of these United States!!