SUPPORT ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO GONZALES
Sign our online Petition to end partisan calls for the resignation of Attorney General
Alberto Gonzales by clicking here.
Click here to read Chairman Manuel
Lujan’s letter to the Editor.
TEXAS
Say NO to Senate Bill 896
The Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute has been working to reduce the price of electricity for all Texans - by promoting choice for consumers to pick the best electricity provider, and in urging a reduction of electricity prices.
Surely you’ve heard about the proposed buyout of TXU Corporation by the private investment group, Texas Energy Future? This was hailed as a landmark transaction since the new owners promised to reduce customer rates, invest in new technologies and explore renewable energy. It met all current laws, and the contract was signed by both parties.
Unfortunately, the Texas Legislature has now gotten involved and through proposed legislation is trying to add a requirement that the deal be retroactively reviewed by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) as if the legal agreement was not valid.
This is devastating to Texas as we need both an electricity rate reduction and for businesses to have faith that government won’t change the rules after deals have been completed! Introducing retroactive laws will make our business community less likely to take the type of entrepreneurial risks needed for economic growth.
The Texas Constitution makes it very clear that no law may be passed that “impairs the obligation of a contract”, making this provision unconstitutional. This is a blatant violation of the rights of Texans to conduct their business without government interference.
All friends of the HAP Institute are urged to contact their legislators immediately and demand that this PUC review be eliminated. Urge them to take steps to support this important transaction and begin to provide Texas the many benefits it will bring. Please contact your member of the Texas House and ask them to VOTE NO on SB 896.
Florida
Support SB 998
Senate Bill 998 promotes consumer choice by ensuring competition in
the video services market and strengthens consumer protections in the local phone
market. It also ensures access to lifeline services for needy Floridians.
Encourage legislators to do the right thing! Legislators will vote on SB 998 on
Thursday afternoon.
Contact member embers of the Senate Community Affairs Committee in their Tallahassee
offices to vote yes on SB 998. SB 998 Background:
SB 998 Background:
- Promotes competition in video services market ensuring more Florida
consumers will have more control and choice over their video and entertainment experience,
while benefiting from significant savings. When companies compete, consumers win.
- Repeals future phone rate increases as a result of vibrant competition
in the local phone market. Repealing the statutory rate-rebalancing provisions will
eliminate the future collection of millions of dollars from local phone bills.
- Encourages investment in next-generation broadband network infrastructure,
helping bring new technology to Florida.
- Anticipates nearly 7,000 jobs added by new market entrants, as
well as contractors, equipment makers, manufacturers and service providers, according
to TeleNomics Research.
- Streamlines the outdated city-by-city video franchise process by
establishing the Department of State as the franchising authority in the state,
speeding the competitive roll out of innovative new products and services to customers.
- Prohibits customer discrimination based on race and income by including
specific language in the bill.
- Establishes existing customer service and consumer protection standards
as the uniform standards throughout the state.
- Ensures access to Lifeline phone service for needy Floridians by
requiring state agencies to help qualified Floridians enroll in the program.
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