Earlier this week, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) of the Senate Judiciary Committee convened a field hearing in his home state of Vermont to examine the consequences of deviating from the net-neutrality doctrine.  The hearing comes on the heels of the recent FCC proposal and House Judiciary Committee hearing dealing with  net neutrality and the preserving the Open Internet.  Witnesses at the hearing included, Former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, Vermont State Librarian Martha Reid, small business owner Cabot Orton and Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner, Logic Supply, Inc.  Lisa Groeneveld. 

During his opening statement, Chairman Leahy said one of the key components of Independence Day is the concept of freedom. He explained that the principles of our Founders have translated over to the 21st Century and the Internet.   Leahy expressed his belief that the Internet needs its own liberties to safeguard the freedoms of the populace. He said he does not want to see a divided internet where those who can afford to pay trump those who cannot.

In his testimony, Copps explained that “fast-lanes” could ruin the opportunity to succeed on the internet. He said public policy has too often worked against the Internet and Title II classification is the first step towards an open and free internet system. Martha Reid agreed and said an open Internet is essential to freedom of speech necesary for public libraries across the nation. She said 53 public libraries have high-speed broadband thanks to a federal grant. She said a scheme where faster service goes to those who can pay would further increase inequality.

Small business owner Cabot Orton explained that Internet sales have come to represent some 40% of the Vermont Country Store’s business. He said 1/3 of his employees are responsible for working on Internet matters and the proposed changes would mean well-funded websites could block out small businesses. Groeneveld said she is vehemently against paid prioritization. She said providers are changing the rules that have allowed Vermont businesses to thrive and while her company could pay to adopt faster internet, it would not bring in new business, increase profits, nor make the internet an institution of equity.

Watch the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.  For more information on net neutrality, please visit our issue section on Main Street.