Yeah, I&#x27;m imagining that the conversations were Entirely Reasonable.  Something like, &quot;the world is changing, people are moving off land-lines, and we can&#x27;t be expected to maintain dead lines in perpetuity&quot;.<p>The disgusting thing is, after this passed, the rates jumped about 50%.  I was willing to pay under $20&#x2F;month for land line service, but paying almost $30&#x2F;month (for metered access, even for local calls!) was just too much.<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;articles.latimes.com&#x2F;2013&#x2F;feb&#x2F;12&#x2F;business&#x2F;la-fi-lazarus-20130212" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;articles.latimes.com&#x2F;2013&#x2F;feb&#x2F;12&#x2F;business&#x2F;la-fi-lazar...</a><p>&quot;Since 2011, the California Public Utilities Commission has allowed phone companies to raise -- or lower -- basic phone rates whenever they choose, rather than seek approval from regulators. Since then, costs have steadily gone up.&quot;<p>This, and the fact that the state now controls cable TV franchises, have left me pretty disillusioned with California government.