Maine Passes Net Neutrality Bill - Should More States?

What's the story?

• Maine has joined a growing number of states in passing laws to protect net neutrality rules.
• The bill prohibits the state from using funds to pay internet service providers (ISPs) unless they adhere to "net neutral" standards. ISPs must promise not to block lawful content, not to throttle internet speeds, and not to engage in paid prioritization.

What are people saying?

Supporters

• Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed the bill on Tuesday, saying "the internet is a powerful economic and educational tool that can open doors of opportunity for Maine people and small businesses.

“That potential should not be limited by internet service providers interested in increasing their profits. I hope net neutrality will be fully restored in federal law, but in the meantime I welcome this new law as a positive step forward for Maine and as a sign that we will protect a free and open internet for Maine people.”

Opponents

• Former Maine state Sen. Eric Brakey (R) wrote an impassioned plea against net neutrality for the Maine Wire, arguing:

"If Washington imposes burdensome government regulations that interfere with our free and open internet, it will reduce the ease with which we can access it and impede future advancements, causing undue hardship for Mainers like myself. Overregulation of the internet will disincentivize job creation, increase costs for business owners, and reduce productivity."

• Brakey continues: "Currently, consumers are protected while allowing the private sector to thrive, but this can only be the case with limited government intervention."

What do you think?

Is net neutrality about a free and open internet? Or will it "disincentivize job creation, increase costs for business owners, and reduce productivity"?

—Josh Herman