Policy

California State Assembly Passes Resolution in Favor of Net Neutrality, E-rate

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 09/26/17

The California State Assembly has passed Assembly Joint Resolution 7, a measure pressing the federal government to support net neutrality.

The measure signals the assembly's support for net neutrality, open internet access, E-rate and other policies and urges President Trump and the United States Congress to show their support as well, declaring that "the legislature views these as high priorities for California and the country and opposes any federal efforts to rescind or block them," according to information released by the body.

"In the coming weeks and months, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be debating a variety of issues and it is my hope that AJR 7 will encourage them to seriously discuss the importance of protecting net neutrality, the FCC's Lifeline Program for low-income consumers and the E-rate program for schools and libraries," said Kevin Mullins, speaker pro tempore of the assembly, in a prepared statement. "It is my hope that members of Congress and the FCC Commissioners will work to protect these programs and AJR 7 provides them with ample rationale for their decisions."

"We are thrilled that AJR 7 has passed," said John Cradler, CUE legislative consultant, in a prepared statement. "Its success underscores CUE's focused advocacy efforts on preserving important programs and policies that insure equal access to the Internet and related technology."