I was unable to attend this morning’s meeting of the Senate Commerce Committee, but just received a text message from Senator Don Vaughn, who represents me, indicating they sent SB 1004 to the “study committee.”

It has been a wild ride the last two days.  There was an estimated 150 people in the House Committee meeting yesterday.  Everyone from ordinary consumers like us, mayors of cities interested in our fight, to the pro-business/cable “Americans for Prosperity” who showed up wearing anti-communism buttons.

North Carolina Legislative Building

The meeting had a few bright points that need to be pointed out, or should I say a few stand out legislators.  Rep. Bill Faison made the initial motion to send HB 1252 to the House Select Study Sub-Committee on High Speed Internet.  There was a little push back, but it was ultimately sent to a joint House and Senate version of that Committee.  The pro HB 1252 forces sought to send the bill to friendlier territory — the Revenue Committee.  Rep. Kelly Alexander delivered what I thought was the quote of the meeting.  Agreeing with Faison on where to send the bill, Alexander said, “This is not a revenue issue, this is an access issue.”  I couldn’t agree more.

It all happened pretty quickly, but when the smoke cleared big cable and their lobbying friends conceded without a fight — all due to immense citizen and customer pushback.

Rep. Angela Bryant gave some inspiring remarks.  She is very passionate on this issue.

The final amendment was delivered jointly by Reps. Faison, Howard and McComas.

I am waiting on the Senate update of what exactly happened this morning, but Sen. Vaughn thanked me for yesterday’s “heads up”, so I am sure there was a little debate in Commerce as well.

We need to thank the folks who fought for our side of this issue. Please e-mail the following representatives, and thank them profusely for standing up for the consumers, and the people in your district in North Carolina:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Thank them for being on the right side of this important issue and for realizing that big cable and telephone lobbyists aren’t the only voices they need to hear.  More important are the voices of the citizens of North Carolina.

I will have an update later today on who in the Senate stood on our side of the issue, but you can start with:

[email protected]
[email protected]

Most of all I want to thank all of you who flooded e-mails, called legislators, showed up at the meetings and continue to fight this battle against big businesses interest in keeping us slow and low.