FCC Will Also Order States To Scrap Plans For Their Own Net Neutrality Laws (arstechnica.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: In addition to ditching its own net neutrality rules, the Federal Communications Commission also plans to tell state and local governments that they cannot impose local laws regulating broadband service. This detail was revealed by senior FCC officials in a phone briefing with reporters today, and it is a victory for broadband providers that asked for widespread preemption of state laws. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposed order finds that state and local laws must be preempted if they conflict with the U.S. government's policy of deregulating broadband Internet service, FCC officials said. The FCC will vote on the order at its December 14 meeting. It isn't clear yet exactly how extensive the preemption will be. Preemption would clearly prevent states from imposing net neutrality laws similar to the ones being repealed by the FCC, but it could also prevent state laws related to the privacy of Internet users or other consumer protections. Pai's staff said that states and other localities do not have jurisdiction over broadband because it is an interstate service and that it would subvert federal policy for states and localities to impose their own rules.

Comments

Folks, we are in big trouble

[Anonymous Coward]

I cannot think of a better way to kill the tech sector.

Re:Folks, we are in big trouble

[gtall]

The Orange Fuhrer has no opinions in the sense of most of the rest of us, he doesn't do policy. He only repeats what Fox News tells him is "twooo".

One thing to remember about that Knob, he's got no strategy for anything. It is simply gut reactions to everything. He's easily manipulated and only repeats whatever he heard last. He's completely incapable of fitting the pieces of his alleged Administration into any cohesive plan for governance. You can see this when he uses to the Press to communicate with the heads of the executive branch agencies.

You can also see his incompetence in the people he puts in charge of those agencies and in other positions. He'll take someone with no expertise in an area and make them head of the executive fiefdom for that area. The only reason the U.S. hasn't folded up on itself is inertia. And it will continue that way until that Knob leaves office. The problems he's set in motion will come back to bite us, especially the tax giveaway currently giving the R's wet dreams. When the budget gets sucked up by interest payments, then people will realize what damage he really did, but it will be too late. And Grandma will be coming to live with you because the government can no longer afford her. Better start saving.

Interstate service but not a utility?

[Tinsoldier314]

Somehow the rationalization that the internet is simultaneously a vital interstate service that precludes state regulation and a purely market driven business seems like a big business wet dream.

States can regulate and tax most businesses but not *this* business because it's special for "reasons".

Re:B-b-b-b-but

[Talderas]

Interstate commerce has frequently been abused since the 1942 ruling in Wickard v. Filburn which pretty much held all economic activity as interstate. Electing not to purchase something is interstate commerce that can be regulated because you are participating in the interstate market by lowering the demand in the market. If you want to talk about twisting the Constitution around, this is probably one of the most egregious rulings from the Supreme Court permitting twisting.