NHMC and a Diverse Group of Organizations Tell the FCC That Proposed Changes to Lifeline Will Harm the Poor, Veterans, People With Disabilities, and Tribal Households

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 9, 2017
CONTACT:
Clarissa Corona
213.718.0732
 communications@nhmc.org
NHMC and a Diverse Group of Organizations Tell the FCC That Proposed Changes to Lifeline Will Harm the Poor, Veterans, People With Disabilities, and Tribal Households
Today, a diverse group of civil rights, racial justice, media, technology, library, arts, labor, Tribal Nations and consumer advocates, wrote a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stating that the proposed plan to drastically alter the Lifeline program erodes Lifeline's promise to bring affordable phone and broadband Internet service to the millions of Americans who qualify. Eliminating all non-facilities based resellers from the program, implementing a self-enforcing budget cap, and imposing a lifetime benefit limit are some of the many proposed changes that will gut the program and continue to widen the digital divide. Additionally, it does not appear that the FCC conducted any meaningful with Tribal Nations on this proceeding. This contradicts the FCC's 2000 Policy Statement which requires the Commission to consult with the Tribes before implementing a regulatory action or policy that will "significantly or uniquely affect Tribal governments, their lands and resources." Carmen Scurato, director of policy and legal affairs at the National Hispanic Media Coalition said: "There is no doubt that the drastic changes proposed in the Lifeline item are clear statements of intent by the Chairman to gut the program. Erecting barriers to entry for providers like the self-enforcing budget cap, lifetime benefit limits, and requiring that customers pay for a portion of the service are unnecessary and reckless changes that will have a negative impact on Lifeline recipients. The Chairman should be focused on how to better assist underserved communities instead of ways to cut off vital communications services." Gloria Tristani, Former FCC Commissioner, and special policy advisor to the National Hispanic Media Coalition added: "As a Commissioner when the 2000 Policy Statement was adopted, I am deeply troubled that the Commission has failed to conduct a meaningful consultation with the Tribes. Recognizing that the federal government has a trust responsibility to and a government-to-government relationship with recognized Tribes, the FCC made a commitment to consult sovereign Tribal Nations prior to adopting regulations or policies that would significantly or uniquely impact them. If the Commission is to honor its Tribal Policy Statement, then it must pause the proceeding and conduct a meaningful consultation prior to adopting changes to the Lifeline program which will have significant and far-reaching consequences for Tribal households. Anything less flies in the face of the Commission's stated commitment to Tribal Nations and its purported commitment to bridge the digital divide." The full list of signatories to the letter includes: 18MillionRising.org Access Humboldt American Library Association Appalshop, Inc. Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC Benton Foundation Center for Media Justice Center for Rural Strategies Color Of Change Common Cause Common Sense Kids Action Communications Workers of America CREDO Ellis Jacobs, Attorney for The Greater Edgemont Community Coalition of Dayton Ohio EveryoneOn Free Press Janice Meyers Educational Consulting, LLC NAACP National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians - CWA National Congress of American Indians National Consumer Law Center, on behalf of its low-income clients National Hispanic Media Coalition New America's Open Technology Institute OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates Public Knowledge The Greenlining Institute United Church of Christ, OC Inc. X-Lab
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The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is the media watchdog for the Latino community, ensuring that we are fairly and consistently represented in news and entertainment and that our voices are heard over the airwaves and on the internet.
We exist to challenge executives and influencers throughout the entertainment and news industry to eliminate barriers for Latinos to express themselves and be heard through every type of medium. NHMC works to bring decision-makers to the table to open new opportunities for Latinos to create, contribute and consume programming that is inclusive, free from bias and hate rhetoric, affordable and culturally relevant.
 
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National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a woman-led 501(c)(3) non-profit civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward the Latino communities.
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