House Majority Whip Jeremy Durham is calling on State Attorney General Herbert Slatery to take legal action against the Federal Communications Commission after it voted to overrule Tennessee state law and allow EPB to expand its fiberoptic service.
He was joined at a press conference by several other legislators, including Rep. Andy Holt and Rep. Glen Casada, House Majority Caucus chairman.
Governor Bill Haslam said he is opposed to the FCC action.
State Democratic leaders said Tennessee lawmakers "should embrace competition when it comes to broadband services, not work to limit consumer choice."
"Anyone who has spent hours on the phone with a service provider to dispute a bill or get proper services knows consumers need more choices when it comes to Internet service," Senate Minority Leader Lee Harris said. "It is disturbing to see lawmakers act so quickly to limit consumer choice when Tennesseans are demanding more."
"With the FCC ruling, consumers consider this matter settled," Senator Harris said. "No one wants to see our attorney general give in to demands from lawmakers who want to play politics rather than do what's best for consumers and our economy."
“Communities like mine in rural West Tennessee don’t care so much about these technicalities,” said House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh. “They care less about service areas and more about having access to fast, reliable Internet. If a provider wants to bring that to my constituents, I don’t think I want the state to get in the way.”
Meanwhile, EPB is starting efforts to recruit new customers outside its current service area.
EPB has set a meeting for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Bradley County Courthouse in the commission room.
Officials said, "EPB will have an important public meeting with the rural citizens of Bradley County announcing the new availability of high speed Internet to rural areas, beginning with them. This is an important victory for many in the area . State and local dignitaries will be there as well as many local citizens."