Vermont Business Magazine A group of national cable and telecom organizations is expected to file suit against the State of Vermont today regarding a law passed in the previous session and an Executive Order issued by the Governor protecting net neutrality in Vermont.
Governor Phil Scott issued the following statement: “Our net neutrality legislation and my Executive Order demonstrate a clear commitment from Vermont’s elected officials, across branches and party lines, to preserving and promoting a free and open internet in Vermont.
“I am disappointed to hear national telecom and cable organizations plan to sue us for taking action to protect our citizens and our economy.
“While I understand consistent regulation is important to ensuring a vibrant and thriving telecom and cable sector, our obligation as a state government is to our citizens, who I strongly believe have a right to free and open access to information on the internet. In the absence of a national standard to protect that right, states must act.
“I am committed to working with the Attorney General’s Office to stand up for these rights in court.”
Attorney General TJ Donovan said in his own statement:
"Vermonters expect and deserve a government that will fight to preserve and protect a free and fair internet. And, the State of Vermont has a right to express its values when contracting for goods and services.
"My office has made protecting net neutrality a priority. That fight is unfolding in the federal courts through our effort to stop the FCC from overturning net neutrality.
"Earlier this year, the State passed an executive order and a law to ensure that entities the State contracts with are equally committed to net neutrality principles. Yesterday, big industry sued the State seeking to interfere with its right to contract with service providers that share Vermont’s values.
"The complaint filed yesterday by industry is without merit. While we hear a lot about free markets and support for the principles of net neutrality, this industry action seeks to infringe on the State’s right to contract with like-minded providers.
"Make no mistake: we will continue to stand up for fairness and common sense on the issue of net neutrality. And, we will strongly oppose this unwarranted attempt to interfere with the State’s right of contract and participation in the market."