It almost feels like spring outside here in DC today -- time for cherry blossoms, robins and fresh green leaves on trees.
But in state capitals across the country, something more insidious seems to be cropping up: telecom industry astroturf.
We've
told you about this problem
before. Last year, telephone and cable companies funded a handful of front groups and astroturf (i.e. fake grassroots) organizations to try to pass a telecom bill packed with special interest benefits through Congress. They failed. So now they're shifting their efforts to state legislatures.
Take, for instance, the Missouri Communications Alliance, which is working to pass a video franchising bill in Missouri:
The Missouri Communications Alliance was established by the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Holtzman & Vogel, which has created numerous astroturf organizations, some of which the Federal Election Commission is investigating. This law firm set up the MCA to help pass SB 284, presumably as part of its work for AT&T. It is difficult to determine which company is really behind the MCA. Identity protection is a major advantage of running astroturf operations through a law firm.
Kudos to J. Scott Christianson for
writing an op-ed exposing the MCA. We're hearing that new telecom astroturf groups are setting up shop in Illinois, Florida and other states. If you notice them, let us know. And more importantly, let others in your community know.
