WASHINGTON, D.C. — An area lawmaker is taking another shot at reforming telecommunications regulatory reform.
U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green: On Thursday, Latta re-introduced two telecommunications bills that his office said would promote competitiveness and increase transparency at the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC Analysis of Benefits and Costs Act would require the agency to provide a cost-benefit analysis for any proposed rules as well as a review once the rule is finalized. A sufficient time frame for the public to review any proposed regulations would also be provided.
The second bill is a resolution expressing the opinion that, in order to continue growth and innovation in the telecommunications industry, government should “get out of the way and stay out of the way.”
“The telecommunication sector is a significant driver of economic growth and provider of jobs in Ohio and across the country,” Latta said in a press release. “However, government over-regulation threatens the competitiveness of this industry, which ultimately harms consumers who are faced with fewer choices and higher prices. The House should make it clear that the government should stay out of the way and let market competition drive innovation. At the same, we need more transparency at the FCC so the public fully understands the impact of the agency’s proposals.”
U.S. Senate
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio: On Wednesday, Brown’s office announced that the senator re-introduced the Miners Protection Act, which aims to cover a shortfall in retired miners’ union’s pension plan.
“Ohio coal miners sacrificed their backs and lungs for the promise they’d have a nest egg to retire and healthcare if they got sick,” Brown said. “It’s up to us to ensure that these workers and their families receive the full benefits they earned over a lifetime of backbreaking work.”
Brown also highlighted recent trade victories for Ohio workers, including a World Trade Organization case against China, investigating its efforts in fostering aluminum overcapacity.
“Thousands have already lost jobs because China has flooded the market with unfairly subsidized aluminum. It’s past time we get tough on these violations before more Ohio workers lose their jobs,” Brown said in a press release. “These are important steps to creating a level playing field for Ohio workers in all industries. But we can’t let up. We need a complete reset of our trade relationship with China, to make it clear they can no longer get away with this cheating — whether it’s in the aluminum or steel or any other industry.”
Both Brown and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, condemned bomb threats that were sent last week to over 20 Jewish community centers throughout the country, including Columbus and Cincinnati.
“Connie and I stand in solidarity with Jewish communities across the country against these hateful threats of violence toward our friends and neighbors,” Brown said. “Every American has the right to feel safe and welcome in our communities, and each of us has a responsibility to stand against efforts to intimidate or endanger our fellow Ohioans.”
Portman added, “I strongly condemn the bomb threats that are being made against Jewish Community Centers in Ohio and across the country. We must stand in solidarity with our friends in the Jewish community and make clear there is no place for this in our society.”
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio: On Wednesday, Portman announced that Ohio is eligible to receive $150,000 in grant money for addiction recovery services as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
“Our communities are in crisis right now. When we drafted CARA, we identified the lack of recovery services as one of Ohio’s biggest unmet needs and that’s why CARA provides additional resources to help people sustain long-term recovery,” Portman said in a press release. “Because the federal government is committing resources to support recovery services for the first time ever, this is a landmark day.”
Portman also joined 18 other senators in introducing the Combating BDS Act, which aims to counter all boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. The bill would give state and local governments the means to prevent themselves from contracting with companies that knowingly engage in any action against the Jewish state.
“Israel is our closest ally in the most volatile region in the world and a democracy that shares our values,” Portman said. “In a world that is growing more dangerous, our alliance with Israel has only become more important. States and local governments shouldn’t be forced into doing business with companies that discriminate and wage economic warfare against this critical ally.”
