Bills provide level playing field for broadband

To the editor:

The Missouri Communications Workers of America strongly supports the passage of Senate Bill 221 and House Bill 142 and believes the legislation promotes a level playing field for all broadband providers.

The current regulatory environment puts our jobs in jeopardy, as SBC has halted future broadband deployment in Missouri until regulatory certainty is achieved. By passing this legislation, Missouri lawmakers improve the chances to keep the jobs of CWA/SBC Missouri workers who helped build the foundation of the telecommunications infrastructure that currently exists in Missouri.

SB 221 and HB 142 offer hope of new investment by SBC and new jobs for CWA workers. The CWA has built the past. We maintain the present. And we need to be a part of the future. So we implore the legislature to level the regulatory playing field and support SB 221 and HB 142.

JEANNINE M. THOMURE

President

Local 6316

Communications Workers of America

Cape Girardeau