Category: Telecommunications
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The Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Act: How SB 230 Sought to Subsidize Basic Telephone Service
In 2002, the California low-income household that could not afford the basic telephone service was, in most cases, a household being disconnected from the civic participation. Senator Richard G. Polanco wrote a law that subsidized the service. The law was SB 230, VETOED by Governor Davis in September 2002.
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The 911 and CPUC Telecom Advisory Board Reform Act: How SB 669 Strengthened the California 911 Framework
In 1999, the California resident who dialed 911 in an emergency was, in most cases, a resident being connected to a fragmented system of local 911 frameworks. Senator Richard G. Polanco wrote a law that coordinated the system. The law was SB 669.
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The Rate Reduction Bond Act: How SB 418 Authorized California Utilities to Refinance Their Uneconomic Assets
In 1999, the California ratepayer paying the electric rate was, in most cases, a ratepayer paying for the uneconomic assets the utilities had built in the 1970s and 1980s. Senator Richard G. Polanco wrote a law that gave the ratepayer relief. The law was SB 418.
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Before the Digital Divide: How AB 3643 and SB 1563 Built California’s Right to Be Connected
In 1994, four years before the term digital divide entered the national vocabulary, a California State Senator from Northeast Los Angeles got a law signed that put the right to be connected into the Public Utilities Code. This is the record of the two bills that built California's universal service framework.