On October 27, the FCC’s Chief Economist asked for economists to “educate” the FCC on economics, in a posting on http://blog.openinternet.gov/?p=133.  He concluded: “Economists: This is your opportunity to educate me and the Commission.  Am I thinking about our task in a productive way?  What other economic issues should be on my list?”
Today, Dr. Larry Darby, [...]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Texas Insurance Commissioner Votes for Public Option:
Consumers Pay More and Get Nothing in Return

Washington DC, October 19, 2009 –– The following is a statement by Steve Pociask, president of the American Consumer Institute:
The American Consumer Institute is very disappointed by Commissioner Geeslin’s decision to disapprove the rate filing recommended by the government-established and [...]

Washington, DC – The American Consumer Institute today released a letter from Senior Fellow Dr. Larry F. Darby to Ms. Sharon Gillett, Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau.  The letter set forth ten discrete sets of issues germane to the Commission’s impending Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Net Neutrality.  The letter was [...]

The Federal Communications Commission is now engaged in a broad review of the nation’s broadband performance and policy, including the possibility of new government regulations to achieve broadband goals. Indeed, the Commission is charged by Congress with the responsibility for formulating and submitting by February next year a National Broadband Strategy or Plan. Chairman Julius [...]

With the demise of Circuit City and Tweeter, the two biggest retailers in the consumer electronics market – Best Buy and Wal-Mart – are fighting it out, leaving consumers to be the biggest winner. This ConsumerGram explores what shoppers want when they look for electronic goods, and preliminary survey research finds that shoppers think product [...]

Read this editorial in the Fort Worth Star Telegram on how subsidizing coastal property harms inland property owners and depletes natural storm barriers and increases the states insurance costs more than just aligning prices with risk ….  see
http://www.star-telegram.com/242/story/1626714.html

Today, the FCC Chairman announced his intention to embark on what could be a risky path toward regulating the Internet and wireless services in order to fix a theoretical problem – one that is rarely observed in the market and, if it were ever to occur, one that could easily be addressed with the Commission’s [...]

The September 17, 2009 Best’s Insurance News reports that three state insurance commissions will provide direct conversations with the insurance industry in return for a $1,000 donation.

Perspectives on Investment and a National Broadband Plan

On September 8th, the American Consumer Institute held a panel briefing on the development of a National Broadband Plan at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.

As background, the FCC currently is drafting is report on a national broadband strategy at the direction of Congress.  During this briefing [...]

Reader’s Digest Interviews Steve Pociask of ACI on potential ”back to school” savings.  In the September 2009 issue, on page 56, ACI provides information on what some are calling “the stink about ink” – the high cost of computer printer ink.  The article offers readers to visit www.consumercalculator.com to get ACI’s estimates of printing costs for various [...]