Chairman Soletski, Representative Zepnick, and Assembly GOP leadership develop compromise approach–vote overwhelmingly in favor of AB 696
For more information contact:
Cindy Tomlinson, Associate Manager-Public Relations
TDS Telecommunications Corp.
608-664-4471 / cindy.tomlinson@tdstelecom.com
MADISON, Wis. — This morning (April 21), the Wisconsin State Assembly took decisive and overwhelming action, passing AB 696, legislation focused on streamlining existing telecom regulations in the state of Wisconsin by a vote of 71-27.
The following statement can be attributed to Drew Petersen, director of External Affairs and Corporate Communications for TDS Telecommunications Corporation:
“Today, state policymakers, led by Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, Assembly Energy Utilities Vice-Chairman and AB 696 author Josh Zepnick (9th Milwaukee), Committee Chairman Jim Soletski (88th-Green Bay) and ranking members Mike Huebsch (94th-West Salem) and Phil Montgomery (4th-Green Bay) have recognized the important role telecommunications plays in spurring economic growth, job creation and consumer choice in our state.
“To that end, the bi-partisan legislative approach toward streamlining outdated and unnecessary regulations on telecommunications carriers, creating new product bundles and services for residential and business customers, and fostering greater competition in Wisconsin gets a step closer to public law.
“Undoubtedly, passage of AB 696 will benefit Wisconsin telecommunications customers through lower product and service prices and better, more targeted customer care.
“Assembly Energy and Utilities Chairman Jim Soletski (88th-Green Bay) and his colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, have been actively involved with the negotiations, improvements, and refinements made to AB 696. We remain hopeful the State Senate will take quick and decisive action on this bill and send it on to Governor Doyle for his signature.”
