The Consumer Federation of the Southeast’s (CFSE) mission is to educate the public on a variety of issues and act as a coordinating, coalition-building organization for not-for-profit consumer advocacy groups as common issues are identified.
Current Activities
Cable Competition and Choice
Consumers have fought for years to introduce greater choice into cable service, and the efforts are bringing that competition closer to reality. Unfortunately, the telecom industry has marshaled its considerable resources to push anti-consumer legislation and hijack the work of community advocates under the false banner of competition. Specifically, the telephone company’s legislation, HB529, would leave the door open wide to discrimination, eliminate local control and make it more difficult for Floridians to file a formal service complaint.
The Consumer Federation of the Southeast has joined with a broad coalition of consumer advocacy groups across Florida to fight for real competition. To make the voice of consumers loud and clear, we have launched a television advertisement campaign (30-second spot), encouraging residents to contact Governor Charlie Crist and Senate President Ken Pruitt and ask them to support pro-consumer provisions in any cable competition bill. Thanks in part advocacy of the Consumer Federation of the Southeast and its allies, several key measures were added to the Senate version of the cable competition bill that will preclude cherry picking and preserve fair build-out requirements.
Your help is needed to ensure that fair and real cable service competition. Please contact the Governor or Senate President and ask for their support of a cable bill that:
- Preserves the option of local control
- Prohibits service providers from discriminating against neighborhoods based on income
- Places enforcement in the hands of the Public Service Commission
- Provides authorization for fair build-out requirements.
Governor Crist’s office can be reached at:
Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com
850-488-4441
Senate President Pruitt’s office can be reached at:
Pruitt.Ken.web@flsenate.gov
850-487-5088
Proposed Activities:
PSC Reform
Common Cause’s report # 1
Common Cause’s report # 2
Common Cause’s report # 3
