LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Bill would hike rates

Jane magnus, AARP Outreach volunteer, Lawrence Township
   In a wired world, telephone, Internet, and cable television services are essential. On March 21, these services could be threatened. New Jersey senators will vote on a bill which eliminates consumer protections and allows companies to cut services, dramatically increase rates and impose extra charges on these three services
   Senate Bill 2664, deceptively named the Market Competition and Consumer Choice Act which removes regulations for these services, could leave consumers virtually defenseless against their cost and quality of service.
   The state said that one of its objectives is to keep seniors living with dignity at home. S-2664 could prove debilitating to this goal. According to an AARP survey that has recently been in the papers, four in 10 older New Jerseyans worry about staying in their homes as long as possible and over two-thirds struggle with paying utilities. In addition, over 70 percent of older New Jerseyans still use landlines; for many, it is their only method of communication. Eliminating consumer protections and cutting services could mean they won’t be able to stay connected with families or even call a doctor during an emergency. Call your senator today and urge them to vote no on S2664.