This entry is in reponse to the article posted on the New York Sun entitled Grilling a Responsible Commissioner by Harold Furchtgott-Roth.

One of most common questions we encounter is “what is this on my phone bill.” Specifically, the Universal Service Fund – what is it? The fund was created as part of the Act of 1996, primarily as a continuation of the pre-existing programs to provide federal support for high-cost incumbent rural telephone companies and low-income households. The program has muchroomed from $2 billion to more than $7 billion because the pre-existing programs have grown. This growth includes nearly $2.25 billion towards school and library funds and a large program for new-entrant telecommunication providers to encourage competition for lower rates.

Granted, some of this may be Greek to you but the bottom line, Commissioner Deborah Taylor-Tate has taken a stand to temporarily cap the Universal Service Fund fees on your phone bill. That’s virtually under heard of in the Government; that’s virtually unheard of in business. I nominate Ms. Tate to go after the oil companies to temporarily cap gas prices. Good job and thanks Ms. Tate for doing the right thing.