^{Democracy & Technology Blog} Hoosier Telecom Reform

Good news from here in my home state of Indiana: State Sen. Brandt Hershman has introduced bold and far-reaching telecom reform legislation that would, among other things, (1) remove telecommunications from its historically defined role as a “utility” and block the state utility commission from regulating all but the most basic telephone services; (2) block any regulation of broadband services or technologies and limit IURC authority over wholesale matters so as not to go beyond FCC rules; and (3) provide for a statewide video service franchise, enabling major new fiber-optic (or wireless or powerline) bandwidth providers to enter the market almost immediately instead of wrangling with several hundred local boards and councils over franchise fees and restrictions. As far as I can tell, it’s the most aggressive, pro-broadband effort in the nation. Gov. Mitch Daniels is said to be on board.
With the load of taxes and regulations so top-heavy at the national level, it is increasingly difficult for states to differentiate themselves and pursue aggressive economic growth strategies in this globalizing world. States can tinker around the edges with taxes, and they can of course refrain from doing really stupid things, but Washington, D.C., overwhelmingly dictates the overall cost-of-doing business in America. Telecom reform is one significant arena where states can seek an edge by removing barriers to investment in the communications technologies that enable and empower ever larger portions of the global economy.
-Bret Swanson