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WARREN -- Legislation that's made its way to the Ohio Senate lets telephone landline providers raise rates $2 a year and in some instances, have unlimited rate increases, according to a local lawmaker opposed to the bill.
State Rep. John Boccieri said House Bill 402 will have a "devastating impact" on senior citizens on fixed incomes who rely on dependable landline service.
"I am concerned that we are forcing seniors toward economic hardship by increasing rates and pushing some toward cellular service, a practice which isn't supported by the AARP or the Ohio Consumer's Counsel," said Boccieri, D-Poland, in a news release.
The bill passed largely down party lines Wednesday in the Republican-dominated Ohio House to move onto the Senate.
The Columbus Dispatch reported the legislation lets telephone companies under certain conditions seek unlimited price increases for basic service four years after the bill takes effect, but they would need approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Boccieri is also critical of the part of the bill he said changes state law that ensures availability of adequate basic local service in the state to a policy that lets telephone companies provide service where available.
He said he fears telephone companies will not expand service to rural, urban or poor areas of Ohio.
Democratic state Reps. Michael J. O'Brien of Warren and Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown also voted no on the legislation. State Rep. Glenn Holmes, D-Girard, did not vote. He was in Washington, D.C., on a Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber trip to meet with officials to advance local issues of interest.
rselak@tribtoday.com