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Montana becomes first state to implement net neutrality after FCC repeal

thehill.com

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Re: Montana becomes first state to implement net neutrality after FCC repeal

#31

Post by wglb »

gonehome wrote: post #14
alexkavon wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you say this? I ask because, I am from Montana and I often find outside knowledge of Montana consists of "they have an unlimited speed on the highway/interstate" (which hasn't been true for quite sometime) mindset applied to any information about Montana. It is usually viewed as a red state, but it's a different kind of red than what you find on the coasts. Our governor is blue and our state was essentially fo…

When I think of Montana politics the first thing I remember is this: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/05/2... For better or worse this makes me think of Montana as a pretty red state unlikely to pass regulation like NN.

A pretty solo point. I think that story is more about the candidate than any particular party. Note one of the comments in the article:

Both papers, the Missoulian and the Billings Gazette, issued scathing denunciations of Gianforte.

Re: Montana becomes first state to implement net neutrality after FCC repeal

#32

Post by alexkavon »

rconti wrote: post #27
chipperyman573 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not OP but I had the same thought as them. I know I was expecting the first state to be WA or CA, or some other heavily/known blue state, not a (somewhat random) midwestern state. If I were to research it further I'm sure it wouldn't come as much of a surprise, but my initial and uneducated reaction was shock.

Montana is considered a Western state, not midwest. I agree it's somewhat surprising, but Montana is dominated (population-wise) by relatively left-leaning population centers. I'd consider it to be a libertarian leaning western state similar to Colorado but without the insanely religious component of Colorado Springs.

I agree with this to an extent. The red has a Libertarian tint, but even the Libertarians in Montana are different. The best way I've been able to identify with it over the years is consider myself an independent.

Re: Montana becomes first state to implement net neutrality after FCC repeal

#33

Post by AnimalMuppet »

terravion wrote: post #7
dmode wrote: post #2

Good job Montana. If I recall correctly, the FCC ruling also prevented states from creating their own NN laws. I am wondering if there will be litigation around in executive order.

I love the fact that the announcement couches the order in the state's prerogative to consume services that it deems best fit its needs, which is very slick politically, however that works legally.

I think that the state can do that, yes. It can't say "you have to do this to do business in our state", but it can say "you have to do this to do business with us, the state government".

The alternative is that the federal government can dictate which businesses the state governments do business with, which is, to put it mildly, probably not a valid use of federal power.

Re: Montana becomes first state to implement net neutrality after FCC repeal

#34

Post by JohnStudio »

Not to be against state's rights here, but isn't Net Neutrality anti-business? If a state goes it alone, does it risk pro-business components who might leave the state? Curiosity vs. equality slant, so not looking to pick a bone here. Real question ..

Re: Montana becomes first state to implement net neutrality after FCC repeal

#37

Post by joshuaheard »

The headline is a little misleading. The state is not implementing rules or regulations for net neutrality. It is simply requiring, as a condition of contracting with the state, that ISPs abide by the principles of net neutrality. If an ISP does not have any state contracts, it is free to do whatever it wants under the federal law.

Many jurisdictions attach such conditions to entering into a contract with the jurisdiction, ie paying a living wage, hiring a certain percentage of minorities, etc.

Re: Montana becomes first state to implement net neutrality after FCC repeal

#38

Post by Hextinium »

RainaRelanah wrote: post #15
badrequest wrote: post #5

Good for them. Hopefully Texas will fo-lol I can't even finish that sentence.

Reading Cruz's tweets on net neutrality invokes a special type of enragement[0]. It is downright offensive how he treats his constituents, especially us lucky folks in the "People's Republic of Austin". 0. https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/941489723901665280?lang=e...

The way that Cruz talks about NN is infuriating to everyone I have talked to in CS or literally anyone I have talked to in DFW. There are a massive amount of tech people in DFW who should be pushing for NN for their business more than there is in Austin and I am suprised nothing has come of it.

Re: Montana becomes first state to implement net neutrality after FCC repeal

#39

Post by dsfyu404ed »

rconti wrote: post #27
chipperyman573 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not OP but I had the same thought as them. I know I was expecting the first state to be WA or CA, or some other heavily/known blue state, not a (somewhat random) midwestern state. If I were to research it further I'm sure it wouldn't come as much of a surprise, but my initial and uneducated reaction was shock.

Montana is considered a Western state, not midwest. I agree it's somewhat surprising, but Montana is dominated (population-wise) by relatively left-leaning population centers. I'd consider it to be a libertarian leaning western state similar to Colorado but without the insanely religious component of Colorado Springs.

And without the CA transplants who (I'm generalizing here) lean left to the point where "libretarian" is not a good descriptor for any government they have a meaningful say in.

Montana might be a western state but as far as most people on the coasts (also generalizing) care or know (is there a difference) if you don't have saltwater coastline or a big city you're a backwards flyover state with nothing much going on.

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