With less than two weeks remaining in the 2008 regular session, the Missouri General Assembly sent Rep. Ed Emery’s House Bill 1779 to Governor Blunt, who we encourage to quickly sign the bill into law.

As the bill’s title states, HB 1779, “Changes the laws regarding voice over Internet protocol services and other telecommunications services.” While the bill effectively changes the regulatory process for VoIP service in Missouri, the part of the bill that media reports from the Associated Press and the Kansas City Star have focused on has been a statutory change that allows telecom service providers to raise rates in rural areas across the state.

As State Rep. Charlie Schlottach points out in the KC Star report, HB 1779 is all about increasing access for rural residents. And while the KC Star article reports that “Democrats disagreed,” the truth is that the MAJORITY of Democrats supported the bill. Moreover, the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of state representatives from rural areas voted in favor of the legislation.

While rural areas may indeed see small rate increases (which are capped in the bill), MCA believes that if Governor Blunt signs HB 1779 into law, Missouri’s rural residents will begin to see a wide array of new and exciting choices including expanded local and long distance services and high-speed internet access.

Ultimately, the benefits to rural areas should more than offset any small increases in rates, and we commend the Missouri General Assemly for passing the bill.

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