At this morning’s three-hours-earlier-than-usual Senate Commerce Committee meeting, S.1004, the so-called Level Playing Field Act (companion to House bill H.1252), was sent to the Revenue Laws Study Committee. While it appears this particular bill has been defanged, I don’t for a minute expect Time Warner Cable to roll over and play dead – in spite of Time Warner Cable allegedly now claiming it wanted a study bill all along.
Sen. Hoyle, the bill’s primary Senate sponsor, says the bill will appear on the Senate floor soon and be sent over to the House. This isn’t surprising to me, as Sen. Hoyle seems to be Time Warner Cable’s best friend in the Senate. They’re apparently so close that Time Warner Cable representatives fielded calls put in to Hoyle’s office yesterday, according to several sources.
The bill will likely languish for a year or more, barring any Herculean dirty tricks on the part of the bill’s proponents. In the meantime, those of us who value our Internet freedom need to take a break from thinking tactically and begin thinking strategically. A number of legislators are still unfamiliar with the issues here and its up to us to represent our side. While some might say there are “bad legislators” serving our state, I would prefer to consider them well-meaning but simply misguided.
We need to get out in front on this and forge the proper impressions so that the next time this comes up for a vote there will be no question as to the true nature of the bill. Framing the debate is crucial. We have to make sure our voice is as at least as compelling or more so than the big telecoms. That effort won’t be easy: we are up against companies that play the game better than anyone. But we can make a difference when we try, as the results of the last two days show.
For now, take a breath. Smile. Celebrate some. Then roll up your sleeves, because this issue is far from settled.