TALLAHASSEE - A state senator is calling for an investigation into a conference for telephone regulators that was paid for in part by big companies now seeking rate increases.
Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, is asking Attorney General Charlie Crist to investigate the conference last year at a Miami Beach resort. The state auditor general already is looking into the conference and its financing.
Watchdog groups and opponents of the rate hikes have criticized members of the state Public Service Commission, who will approve or reject new rates, for attending the conference with representatives of the phone industry.
"If the industry is ponying up money or being asked to pony up money, that needs to be addressed," Argenziano told the Orlando Sentinel. "You need to restore public confidence."
A spokeswoman for Crist said she couldn't comment on whether he would get involved.
Crist has petitioned the PSC to reject the rate increase, which is supposed to be offset by a corresponding decrease in long distance rates. Crist said he hasn't seen enough evidence of long distance rate reductions.
The June 2002 conference of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Commissioners was financed in part by three phone companies pushing for local phone rate increases: BellSouth, Verizon and Sprint.
Each gave $1,000 to help sponsor a golf tournament, and BellSouth gave $2,500 more for coffee breaks.
Former PSC chairman Leon Jacobs, who helped organize the event, said it is common practice for utility companies to sponsor side events.
Meanwhile, AT&T said Tuesday it will begin offering local service to most residents served by BellSouth. The announcement lends credence to arguments by phone companies that rate restructuring will boost competition and ultimately lower prices for consumers.
