WASHINGTON-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked the California Public Utilities Commission last week to adhere to an executive order directing state agencies to conduct a six-month review of current and proposed regulations, a move that comes as state regulators near a vote on a controversial bill of rights for wireless and other telecom consumers.
“I know I do not have the authority to direct an independent constitutional agency like the Board of Equalization or the Public Utilities Commission to voluntarily comply with my executive order, but I do believe it will benefit all of California if you abide by the letter and honor the spirit of my executive order on a voluntary basis, and I encourage you to do so,” said Schwarzenegger in a Dec. 22 letter obtained by RCR Wireless News
The executive order was issued by Schwarzenegger Nov. 17, the day he was sworn into office. Why Schwarzennegger decided to weigh in at the California PUC a month later on the regulatory review is unclear.
Schwarzenegger’s office did not return a call for comment.
The wireless industry opposes new rules that would be triggered by a telecom consumer bill of rights.
At least two PUC commissioners-Carl Wood, architect of the bill of rights, and Geoffrey Brown-said they have nearly ironed out differences and will push for a vote on the bill of rights at a Jan. 22 meeting. Scheduled votes on the Wood bill of rights have been postponed several times in recent months.
