NYS low income Internet back in play

[jim555]

NYS $15 25Mbps/$20 200Mbps Internet law back due to a decision from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-to-require-internet-providers-to-charge-low-income-residents-15-for-broadband/5358042/

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/court-upholds-new-york-law-that-says-isps-must-offer-15-broadband/

When the law originally passed it was paused in the courts due to ISPs challenging it. Now it can again move forward.

"April 16, 2021 Press Release...

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation establishing the first-in-the-nation requirement for affordable internet for qualifying low-income families, as proposed in the 2021 State of the State. This legislation requires providers operating in New York State to offer $15/month high-speed internet to low-income families across the state. New Yorkers qualifying for this affordable internet program include households who are eligible or receiving free or reduced-price lunch, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, Medicaid benefits, the senior citizen or disability rent increase exemptions, or an affordability benefit from a utility.  "

[Ron Scott]

This kind of government coercion leaves a bad taste in my mouth for 2 reasons. First, it puts private companies in the business of levying “taxes” as they see fit, since they will be raising rates on others to cover their revenue loss. The state politicians get to claim they provided more entitlements without raising taxes…which is an obnoxious form of bullshit they find cute.  Second, I’m sure poorer areas will get shafted on service and upgrades in the future since it will make no economic sense to invest more there. And new competitors won’t even service those areas.

All this sounds good, like you’re rooting for the underdog, until you think about how these things play out in real time.

[jim555]

Cry me a river, Verizon made $33 billion for the quarter and has monopoly Internet pricing.  I guess that 6.7% dividend is too low for poor shareholders.

This is just in time since the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is expiring next month.  Getting 300/300 Verizion FIOS right now with Fios Forward for $0 a month after the ACP.  My other costs are NYS Essential Plan $0 a month.  PSEGLI $12 a month (after household assistance rate), $0 Lifeline cell phone, at age 60 $23 SNAP benefit with income under $30K.  SNAP gets the phone, Internet, and electric at discount rates.

[bacchi]

Cry me a river, Verizon made $33 billion for the quarter and has monopoly Internet pricing.  I guess that 6.7% dividend is too low for poor shareholders.

This is just in time since the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is expiring next month.  Getting 300/300 Verizion FIOS right now with Fios Forward for $0 a month after the ACP.  My other costs are NYS Essential Plan $0 a month.  PSEGLI $12 a month (after household assistance rate), $0 Lifeline cell phone, at age 60 $23 SNAP benefit with income under $30K.  SNAP gets the phone, Internet, and electric at discount rates.

And we've had these types of programs for decades and the moral hazards haven't appeared (or they're so small that it's a waste of time worrying about them). They do what they're meant to do, which is to get services into the hands of those who need them.

[Ron Scott]

Cry me a river, Verizon made $33 billion for the quarter and has monopoly Internet pricing.  I guess that 6.7% dividend is too low for poor shareholders.

Well I’m not crying for Verizon, but don’t be naive and think there’s a free lunch here. The money’s gonna come out of someone’s pocket.

You talk about dividends? Let’s say a few thousand people get an average of $100 less a year due to dividend freeze/reductions. Feels like an mindless tax to me, buried in politician bullshit about “holding the line on taxes”.

If the state wants to give more entitlements based on income, be honest about it and pay for it with taxes. At least with a tax increase there’s some thought about who should pay. When you smack businesses around like this, the issue of who pays is hidden from public oversight. I guess you can fool some of the people all of the time. Not my cup.

[jim555]

ISP groups renew ACP push as New York mandates $15 broadband

With a federal appeals court upholding New York's affordable broadband law, industry groups are urging Congress to 'maintain support for low-income Americans on a nationwide basis.'

April 29, 2024

https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/isp-groups-renew-acp-push-as-new-york-mandates-15-broadband
--------------------------------
Other states may start to regulate in this area after this ruling.

[FireLane]

NYS $15 25Mbps/$20 200Mbps Internet law back due to a decision from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-to-require-internet-providers-to-charge-low-income-residents-15-for-broadband/5358042/

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/court-upholds-new-york-law-that-says-isps-must-offer-15-broadband/

When the law originally passed it was paused in the courts due to ISPs challenging it. Now it can again move forward.

Thanks for the tip. I looked up this law, but it's unclear to me who qualifies for it. Maybe that clarity is coming now that the courts have upheld it.

I doubt I would be eligible, since my wife is still working, but I have some older relatives on fixed incomes who are paying outrageous prices for home internet/TV service.

[jim555]

NYS $15 25Mbps/$20 200Mbps Internet law back due to a decision from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-to-require-internet-providers-to-charge-low-income-residents-15-for-broadband/5358042/

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/court-upholds-new-york-law-that-says-isps-must-offer-15-broadband/

When the law originally passed it was paused in the courts due to ISPs challenging it. Now it can again move forward.

Thanks for the tip. I looked up this law, but it's unclear to me who qualifies for it. Maybe that clarity is coming now that the courts have upheld it.

I doubt I would be eligible, since my wife is still working, but I have some older relatives on fixed incomes who are paying outrageous prices for home internet/TV service.

This press release was made when it was passed.  The original has since been removed so I had to use the archive site.
https://archive.is/X2uJs

"New Yorkers qualifying for this affordable internet program include households who are eligible or receiving free or reduced-price lunch, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, Medicaid benefits, the senior citizen or disability rent increase exemptions, or an affordability benefit from a utility."

[Mariposa]

The entire NYC public school system qualifies for free lunch. Does that mean we would qualify for this even if our income is >$200k?

[bacchi]

The entire NYC public school system qualifies for free lunch. Does that mean we would qualify for this even if our income is >$200k?

Probably not. The federal NSLP lunches cut off at 185% of the FPL. It looks like Universal Free Meals is a state program.

whose household: (a) is eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch through the National School Lunch Program;

(bolded)

[jim555]

Other levels are Medicaid is 138% FPL ($20,782 house of 1), SNAP is 130% FPL ($19,578 house of 1), SNAP 60 or older is 200% FPL ($30,120 house of 1).  NSLP lunches are 185% FPL ($27,861 house of 1).

[Mariposa]

The entire NYC public school system qualifies for free lunch. Does that mean we would qualify for this even if our income is >$200k?

Probably not. The federal NSLP lunches cut off at 185% of the FPL. It looks like Universal Free Meals is a state program.

whose household: (a) is eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch through the National School Lunch Program;

(bolded)

Thanks for the clarification.