Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Media Center

Ohioans Protecting Telephone Consumers

Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel
AARP Ohio
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality
Citizens Coalition
Communities United For Action
Ohio Poverty Law Center
Pro Seniors Inc.
Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies

Contact: Ryan Lippe
Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel
(614) 466-7269

Consumer groups unite to oppose telephone industry’s legislation that deregulates service and scales back consumer protections

What: A diverse group of consumer advocates, together as Ohioans Protecting Telephone Consumers (OPTC), will call for the defeat of legislation – Senate Bill 162 and House Bill 276 – that allows rate increases for basic telephone services, weakens consumer protections and lowers telephone service quality standards.

Who: Members of OPTC will make the announcement and be available for media interviews.

When: Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at 10 a.m., Ohio Statehouse, Ladies Gallery

Why: Consumer groups stand united against legislation that makes changes to the pricing and oversight of Ohio’s local telephone companies’ services. Residential consumers need to know the legislation allows rate increases, weakens consumer protections, diminishes low-income consumer benefits, lowers service quality standards and fails to provide broadband access to all Ohioans.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC Web site at www.pickocc.org.