SubscribeRep. Eric Massa (D-NY), took additional steps to educate and inform his supporters this morning in an e-mail message designed to bring additional attention to the Time Warner usage capping issue, and to encourage people to stay aware of ongoing developments.
Rep. Massa has taken a lead on this issue, in response to large numbers of complaints from constituents in his western New York district who would be seriously affected by Time Warner’s usage caps and price hikes. Many within his district live in rural areas outside of metropolitan Rochester, and do not have access to DSL or wi-fi alternatives, leaving Time Warner broadband with de facto monopoly status. The congressman expressed dissatisfaction with the “concessions” offered by Time Warner last week in response to customer complaints, noting that customers who wish to retain their current level of broadband service are being asked to pay three times more for the same product.
Hello,
First off, I want to reassure you that this is not a fundraising email. Instead I want to take a minute to update you on the issues surrounding my opposition to Time Warner Cable’s new plan to restructure how they charge internet customers. Their new fee structure would be based on how much customers download from the internet, and would result in huge fee increases for many local customers. Time Warner is rolling this new plan out in several test markets around the country, including right here in the 29th Congressional District, where they have a near-monopoly on internet access.
I stand firmly opposed to this unfair and disproportionate fee increase, and will be moving swiftly to enact legislation designed prevent this ill-conceived plan. The Massa Broadband Fairness act will prohibit this unfair tiered price structure from internet providers. At a time when information is vitally important to our global economy, Time Warner Cable wants to charge more for access to information on the internet. This is a guaranteed mechanism to kill jobs and stifle the economic recovery that we so desperately need. While I believe in a business’s right to maximize their profit potential, I believe that safeguards need to be put in place when a business has a monopoly on a specific region. I will fight these unnecessary burdens being place on my constituents, and work to keep access to information available to all. I believe that this will help create a more vibrant and diverse business community, and will ensure that our schools and colleges continue to lead the nation.
Thank you for all that you do.
Warmest Regards,
Eric Massa
Eric Massa
Commander US Navy (ret.)
Those interested in contacting Congressman Massa’s office to thank him for his efforts are encouraged to call one of the district offices:
Washington DC Office
1208 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3161
Fax: (202) 226-6599
Corning District Office
89 W. Market Street
Corning, NY 14830
Phone: (607) 654-7566
Fax: (607) 654-7568
Olean Office
317 North Union Street
Olean, NY 14760
Phone: (716) 372-2090
Fax: (716) 372-2869
Pittsford District Office
1 Grove St
Suite 101
Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: (585) 218-0040
Fax: (585) 218-0053
Other stories of interest:
- BREAKING NEWS: Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) Condemns Time Warner Internet Cap; Will Take Lead Role in Opposition
- BREAKING NEWS: Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) To Introduce The Massa Broadband Internet Fairness Act
- X Files: Out of Touch Cable Industry Suggests Links Between Eric Massa & Corning-based Fiber Optics Manufacturer
- Action Alert! Rep. Dan Maffei Town Hall Meeting Thursday (Irondequoit, NY)
- Important Reminder: Rep. Eric Massa’s (D-NY) Second Town Hall Meeting Tonight
Interesting, his office has my email address many times over, and I never received this email. Thanks for posting it for us to read!
Ah, it turns out this was sent to his financial donors, of which I was one.
My original congresswoman was Louise Slaughter, until the 2000 Census resulted in a re-carving of the district maps, sticking her with a ridiculous district that runs from Rochester to Niagara Falls, connected with a thin strip. We got thrown into the 28th district two years before Rep. Amo Houghton, who was a Republican from Corning, was to retire. I loved and voted for Rep. Houghton. A real decent honest guy.
After he left, we got Randy the Dandy Kuhl, who I so loathed, one of the selling points of the home we moved to is that the district line is literally the fence on the west side of the property. And the house was east of that, getting us into the tiny sliver of Louise Slaughter’s district that runs diagonally from the city line through Brighton to her home in the village of Fairport. On the other side of the sliver to the east is now Dan Maffei’s district.
I was a supporter of Eric Massa in 2006 and 2008, and now everyone is getting a greater idea of why he is the right guy for the 29th Congressional district. If Kuhl was still here, we’d be meeting in some dark room during one of his “open house” sessions and get five minutes to plead our case, and then shown the door. No thanks.
I could not vote for Massa. During the election, I was living in Webster. I only moved to Henrietta a couple months ago. I am however proud to have him as my rep.
He’s got my vote for a very long time.
I did not get this either, but I am not in his district so I wouldn’t expect to get it. I would love to see more information on this legislation package he is working on.
I agree 100%. TWC should not be allowed to continue down this path. Eric Massa has my support completely.
We need more politicians to come on board and support this bill. I have heard next to nothing from my representatives.
Did you see Massa is on Twitter now?
http://twitter.com/ericmassa
Why was the email only sent to his financial donors? I guess I didn’t deserve a response.