Bill Deregulating Land-Line Phone Service Clears the Senate

A controversial telephone-deregulation bill that opponents say could leave people in rural areas without land-line service cleared the state Senate Thursday on a 24-13 vote. The measure now goes to the House, where two key lawmakers have said the bill is problematic because of its potential impact on rural areas. But the bill's sponsor said those areas will be protected.

Enlarge image

State Sen. Paul Hornback, R-Shelbyville. Photo provided by Legislative Research Commission.