Argenziano: Phone rate hikes are 'the biggest giveaway'
Despite losing her fight in the Legislature, state Sen. Nancy Argenziano urges customers to speak out at public hearings.
By COLLEEN JENKINS
Published October 1, 2003
Her opposition to the new telephone rates law fell on deaf ears in the Legislature, but state Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River, still plans to log her displeasure before the Florida Public Service Commission next week.
The commission is holding 10 public hearings statewide to give the public an opportunity to comment on the petitions filed by the three major local phone providers seeking approval for rate hikes. Sprint, which provides local service in Citrus County, Verizon and BellSouth all want big rate hikes from the PSC under the phone law signed by Gov. Jeb Bush in May.
Argenziano is encouraging Citrus residents to attend an Oct. 10 public hearing in Ocala to let commissioners know what they think of the law, which could increase rates by 60 to 90 percent for Sprint's residential customers.
The telephone company is seeking basic service rate increases of $3.23 per month beginning next year and then $3.63 the following year.
"It's really imperative that people show up at that meeting," Argenziano said Tuesday. "You want them to know that there's enough contention here and that people are not happy."
The new rules, written by phone companies, allow for basic local residential and business monthly service rates to increase as long as there are equal reductions in the fees they charge long-distance providers to access their networks.
The major phone companies and the governor argued the law will increase competition and ultimately give the public access to a greater choice of local phone service providers.
The bill gives the Public Service Commission limited power to approve or reject higher phone rates. State statutes require commissioners to consider if the hikes would create and attract more competition, be revenue neutral for the phone companies and ensure decreases in the charges to long-distance providers.
They'll use the public's input as they weigh these factors, said Kevin Bloom, a PSC spokesman.
Argenziano isn't sure the law leaves the PSC any discretion in determining whether to approve the rate hikes. Still, as one of only 12 senators to vote against the legislation, her message to the PSC will be clear: This bill stinks.
"This was the biggest giveaway, and it was an unjustified rate hike," she said. "It won't bring competition. Prices are never going to go back down if the rates go up.
"My constituents will be harmed by this rate increase."
The public hearing is set for 1 p.m. in the commission auditorium of the Marion County Governmental Complex in Ocala. The building is at 601 SE 25th Ave.
Bloom said residents interested in testifying should sign up at the hearing.
