Feb. 6 (UPI) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Monday to implement net neutrality rules in his state.
The order requires that any Internet service provider that contracts with the state cannot block legal content, “throttle, impair or degrade” Internet traffic, or engage in paid prioritization.
The order signed by Murphy, a Democrat, is a direct response to the Federal Communications Commission’s recent decision to rescind net neutrality rules imposed under former President Barack Obama.
“This basically says the Trump administration wants to make the Internet really expensive for consumers, prioritize who gets access [and] what you see. We’ve said, ‘Not New Jersey,'” Murphy said in a video statement posted on Twitter.
We all deserve free, open, and equal access to the internet.
The FCC’s repeal of net neutrality was arbitrary and dangerous and will give outsized power to a few big companies to control the free flow of information. #NetNeutrality
Murphy became the third governor to sign an executive order that requires ISPs with state contracts to follow net neutrality rules.
Last month, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both Democrats, also signed orders rebuking the FCC’s net neutrality rollback
Also on Monday, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said the state would join 21 others in a lawsuit against the FCC.
“We are committed to taking whatever legal action we can to preserve the internet rights of New Jersey consumers, and to challenge the federal government’s misguided attack on a free and open internet,” Grewal said in a statement.
