Editors' Note: 'Green' Legislation is an occasional column that attempts to shed light on the ways big money influences voting patterns.
A few weeks ago, we reported on Rep. Mike Ferguson's (R-7) vote against Net Neutrality.
There's someone else very opposed to Net Neutrality, and his name is Ed Whitacre. He just happens to be Chairman of the Board and CEO of AT&T. He has said: “The Internet can’t be free ... for a Google or Yahoo or Vonage or anybody to expect to use these pipes free is nuts.”
Mike Ferguson is facing a tough challenge this year, from Democrat Linda Stender. The race is already receiving national attention as "one to watch." Stender has raised a ton of money ($899,955 as of 6/30), mostly through smallish donations. But she is still way behind Ferguson in the money race. He's raised $2,047,068 (also as of 6/30).
His biggest contributor? AT&T -- the telecom giant has given Ferguson $61,400 for this election, about three times as much as the next highest donor. Since 2000, AT&T has given him $92,350.
So why would Ferguson be for Net Neutrality? It's only going to impair his largest benefactor's ability to rake in dough.
All figures courtesy of The Center for Responsive Politics
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