You Want a Man with a Slow Hand, A Regulator With a Light Touch

Federal Communications Commission chief Julius Genachowski wants to regulate broadband as a public utility, and on Thursday his agency will vote on whether to take the first step toward adopting his proposal. If the plan is enacted, Genachowski says he'll use his new powers with a "light touch," though you're forgiven if you suspect his idea of a light touch is not as light as yours. Three out of five commissioners have said they will vote for Thursday's measure, so it's pretty much certain to pass.

Owen Kurtin has more on the legal situation that produced the plan, and Declan McCullagh describes the political context. Bonus reading: my 2008 article on what to expect from Obama's FCC.