Phil Montgomery

Phil Montgomery is an American politician who lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin and represents the fourth assembly district in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He was born in Hammond, Indiana, July 7, 1957. He is married and has 2 children. He is a graduate T.F. North H.S., and holds a B.S. in Business and Commerce from the University of Houston-Downtown (1988). [ [http://www.legis.state.wi.us/w3asp/contact/legislatorpages.aspx?house=Assembly&district=4&display=bio] ]

Phil Montgomery is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected to the Assembly in 1998; reelected since 2000. [ [http://www.legis.state.wi.us/w3asp/contact/legislatorpages.aspx?house=Assembly&district=4&display=bio] ]

Legislative Issues

During the 2007-2008 legislative session, Representative Montgomery authored legislation to bring cable competition to Wisconsin consumers. Montgomery said it “is about consumers and choices. This is a simple issue. … Families all over the state of Wisconsin want options when it comes to their video service." [ [http://badgerherald.com/news/2007/03/28/cable_bill_garners_s.php] ]

The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute stated, “According to a 2004 study by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), cable consumers in markets with wire-based competition saw an average cable bill rate drop of 23% when competition was introduced.” [ [http://www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume%2020/Vol20No4/ScCF07p1.html] ]

According to the Lacrosse Tribune, “At least 20 other states have approved similar statewide franchising laws. It passed the state Senate on a 23-9 vote and cleared the Assembly on a 66-28 vote.” This is a wide bipartisan vote of support. [ [http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2007/12/22/wi/00wis1223.txt] ] .

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary, Rod Nilsestuen said in a statement, “Under this new law, Wisconsin consumers will get expanded, competitive video service while still retaining important consumer protections.” [ [http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2007/12/22/wi/00wis1223.txt] ]

In a Business Journal article, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle Stated, “By opening the door to cable competition in Wisconsin we should see expanded services to consumers and more investments in communications technologies and infrastructure in the state." [ [http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2007/12/17/daily51.html?ana=from_rss] ]

Since the Video Competition Act was signed into law, many cable providers have applied for statewide franchise licenses in order to compete for service in Wisconsin. [ [http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/28/daily25.html] ]

Not only does the Video Competition Act bring cable competition to Wisconsin which will give consumers choices and consequently hold down prices, this law has brought millions of investment to the state and hundreds of new jobs. [ [http://www.forbes.com/prnewswire/feeds/prnewswire/2008/06/26/prnewswire200806260001PR_NEWS_USPR_____AQTH509.html] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS153501+23-Apr-2008+PRN20080423] ]

Representative Montgomery also supported passage of the historic Great Lakes Compact in the 2007-08 Wisconsin legislative session. [ [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=751119] ] This Compact would help preserve and protect the Great Lakes for future generations to enjoy and benefit from if approved by the U.S. Congress. It has been approved by all eight great lakes states and the two provinces of Canada that are in the great lakes basin thus far. [ [http://www.cglg.org/] ]

As chair of the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities, Representative Montgomery has expanded Wisconsin’s use of renewable energy while also protecting rate payers. [ [http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lc/publications/im/im_2006_01.pdf] ] [ [http://www.wiscub.org/CUB%20Victories] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.legis.state.wi.us/leginfo/contact/legislatorpages.aspx?house=Assembly&district=4 Wisconsin Assembly - Representative Phil Montgomery] "official government website"
* "Follow the Money" - Phil Montgomery
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=110228 2008] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=87568 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=68268 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=8559 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=58798 2000] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=56805 1998] campaign contributions
* [http://www.wisdc.org/pro08-103596.php Campaign 2008] campaign contributions at "Wisconsin Democracy Campaign"