From: [email protected]
by government. Arguably water and sewer. I have lived in cities with two
power companies. But all the rest should be done by commercial providers.
Why do you draw the line at the utilities and the infrastructure you
listed? What makes them so special?
Duplication of public utilities is typically not in the public's interest.
Duplicate sewer systems would not give a better value to anyone. Ditto
water. Power lines use up lots of public utility easements and are best
left to one company serving for that reason. There is only so much room for
streets.
The same philosophy used to apply to airlines, truck lines, railroads, still
applies to taxi companies in some areas but most of those have been
deregulated and open to competition.
Same thing happened to telecom. It was deregulated to encourage competition
and choice of providers. Allowing government entities to re-enter that
market is a reversal of policy as public utilities are considered quazi
public entities. Do they want monopolies or do they want competition... If
they want a free market, they should stay out of it.
More importantly government should never compete with businesses.
They have many unfair advantages.
What unfair advantages do you feel they have?
They do not pay taxes. Property, personal property, income, corporate,
excise etc etc.
(Ask Bountiful city how much property tax they pay on the fiber system. )
They do not pay ROW access fees or impact fees.
They have the power to tax to finance competition.
They have the power to limit access to competitors.
They have the power to grant permits without delay and without burden.
They have the ability to market to all residents without additional burden.
They have the color of government approval on their activities.
They can force all to participate in funding a business that by its very
nature can hurt other businesses and even force them out of business.
