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State policymakers should establish a definition of “universal service” for the energy industry that is similar to the one in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Policymakers should create assistance programs to ensure that all households with low incomes can afford adequate water and sewer service. These programs should be fully funded.
Policymakers should ensure that universal service funds are calculated fairly and distributed equitably.
Policymakers should fully fund telecommunications assistance programs to ensure that all households can afford essential services.
Policymakers should expand access to affordable small-business government-guaranteed loans, including those from the Small Business Administration.
Providers of credit- and debt-related services should be licensed in each state in which they operate.
Policymakers should require providers of credit- and debt-related services to provide written contracts to consumers.
Bankruptcy law should increase consumer protections. It should also ensure access, especially for people with low and moderate incomes.
Consumers should receive accurate, timely, and easily understood disclosures of risks and costs.