RALEIGH — Gov. Bev Perdue today said she will neither sign nor veto a controversial broadband bill, meaning it will become law without her signature.
Salisbury won exemption from House Bill 129, which will limit the ability of North Carolina cities to get into the broadband business. Salisbury’s Fibrant utility competes with private companies to sell Internet, cable TV and phone service.
“I believe that every school, household and business in North Carolina — no matter where they are — should have access to efficient and affordable broadband services,” Perdue said in a statement. “There is a need to establish rules to prevent cities and towns from having an unfair advantage over providers in the private sector.
“My concern with House Bill 129 is that the restrictions the General Assembly has imposed on cities and towns who want to offer broadband services may have the effect of decreasing the number of choices available to their citizens.
“For these reasons, I will neither sign nor veto this bill. Instead, I call on the General Assembly to revisit this issue and adopt rules that not only promote fairness but also allow for the greatest number of high quality and affordable broadband options for consumers.”
Read more in Saturday’s Post.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.