Oppose AB 1407 and the Attack On Low Income Californians

Oppose AB 1407 and the Attack On Low Income Californians  On behalf of Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE), we urge our local and state partners to join us in opposing Assembly Bill 1407.  We believe that low-income consumers deserve the right to be protected through regulatory process to ensure affordability of utilities programs (Lifeline programs) that help them meet their basic living needs. See below for information about AB 1407 THIS IS A TIME SENSITIVE ISSUE AND WE NEED YOUR URGENT SUPPORT. Please help us by sending an email the following members of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee or signing an online petition http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-the-attack-on-low?source=c.url&r_by=4516077 Sample Email:  As a concerned California, I strongly urge you to oppose AB 1407.  We believe that low-income consumers deserve the right to be protected through regulatory process to ensure affordability of utilities programs (Lifeline programs) that help them meet their basic living needs.  Low-income consumers want and deserve affordability, accountability from carriers, and protections as consumers.  We need your help is stopping the attack on low-income Californians. (click on the Senator's name to email) Senator Alex Padilla  [Chair] (D-San Fernando Valley) Senator Jean Fuller [Vice Chair] (R-Bakersfield)   Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres)  Senator Ellen M. Corbett  (D-East Bay)  Senator Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) Senator Mark DeSaulnier  (D-Concord)     Senator Jerry Hill  (D-San Mateo County)  Senator Steve Knight  (R-Antelope Valley)  Senator Fran Pavley  (D-Agoura Hills)   Senator Lois Wolk  (D-Davis)   Senator Roderick D. Wright (D-Los Angeles) Why Assembly Bill 1407 harms low-income Californians: Assembly Bill 1407 eliminates key minimum standards for low-income affordability, consumer protection, and carrier accountability.  1)    Eliminates Low-Income Affordability. A fixed discount voucher guarantees that monthly bills will be unpredictable and potentially significantly higher than current bills. LifeLine customers would no longer be exempted from paying state and local surcharges and taxes, resulting in an automatic rate increase from this bill. 2)    Eliminates Consumer Protections. Carriers would no longer be required to offer customer service staffing and contracts in the same languages in which they conduct marketing and sales campaigns targeting non-English speaking communities. Low-income customers would lose their right to stand-alone LifeLine service (instead of being offered only expensive bundles), as well as protections against deposits or extended contracts that carry early termination fees.  3)    Eliminates Carrier Accountability. The CPUC would no longer be able to deny LifeLine participation to carriers such as TracFone who refuse to abide by requirements that they collect and pay into the Universal Service Fund that subsidies LifeLine discounts. VOIP carriers would be able to collect LifeLine subsidies without complying with CPUC regulation due to provisions of SB 1161 that eliminated most CPUC authority over VOIP providers. AB 1407 transfers authority from the state of California to the federal government and private industry one of the largest low-income telephone programs in the country worth millions of ratepayer dollars annually and impacting 1.5 million low-income California families. The authority to define minimum standards for low-income affordability, service quality, packages, and carrier participation will shift from the CPUC, which has the responsibility to serve the changing needs of Californians.

COPE 600 North Arrowhead San Bernardino, California 92401 909-915-1716