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True Leadership! – Montana Governor’s Executive Order Would Force Net Neutrality

Most efforts underway to restore so-called net neutrality face big obstacles and would take many months, if not years, to succeed.

But in Montana, the governor plans to use the stroke of a pen to bring the rules to broad parts of his state.

Through an executive order, Gov. Steve Bullock will declare that any internet service provider with a state government contract cannot block or charge more for faster delivery of websites, two core aspects of net neutrality, to any customer in the state. Governor Bullock said in an interview that he expected to sign the order on Monday.

By Cecilia Kang

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/01/22/technology/montana-net-neutrality.html?referer=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com

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Today, I signed an executive order to protect net neutrality in Montana by requiring successful recipients of state contracts to adhere to internet neutrality principles.

For as long as we have used the internet, we have had certain expectations about how things work. We have had access to a free and open internet. But a free and open internet is no longer guaranteed. The loss of internet neutrality principles threatens the future of students, businesses, and economic growth in Montana.

There has been a lot of talk around the country about how to respond to the recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal net neutrality rules, which keep the internet free and open. We cannot wait for folks in Washington D.C. to come to their senses and reinstate these rules. It is time to actually do something about it and this is a simple step states can take to preserve and protect net neutrality.

My executive order sets the terms on which the State of Montana will be making purchases and makes a preference for a free and open internet clear. When the FCC repealed its net neutrality rules, it said consumers should choose. The State of Montana is one of the biggest consumers of internet services in our State. Today, we are making our choice clear: we want net neutrality, it is good government, and it is what Montana citizens expect.

Access to reliable and high-quality internet promotes economic growth, job creation, and the free flow of information. Montana is the first state in the nation to implement action in the wake of the FCC’s decision to repeal net neutrality rules. You can read the full executive order online HERE and share it with others.

I invite every governor, every legislator, every small business, and every Fortune 500 company that wants to continue a free and open internet to join Montana’s decision and protect net neutrality across the nation.

Sincerely,

STEVE BULLOCK
Governor

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