Pai Slams Rosenworcel in Unusual Statement on Application Fees NPRM

with the law would garner unanimous support. Sigh,” said Pai. Rosenworcel’s dissent, also included with the item, was based on a proposed increase in fees for formal complaints, from $235 to $540, which she said was anti-consumer and “crazy.” Pai said Rosenworcel didn’t inform Pai’s office of the nature of her objection to the item until Aug. 21, though the item was circulated July 2. Pai individually listed every day in between: “On July 2, when the Office of the Managing Director circulated this item, my colleague did not say a thing, much less request any edits. Nor on July 3. Nor on July 4 (with a pass for fireworks, of course). Nor on July 5. Nor on July 6. Nor on July 7. Nor on July 8 ...” Rosenworcel’s office didn’t comment. Consumers don’t use the formal complaint process, Pai said, saying no such complaints were filed in 2019 or so far in 2020. “In contrast, consumers rely on our informal complaint process. ... And what’s the fee we propose for such actual consumer complaints? Zero,” he said. He also said adjustment to the formal fee was a result of the statute. “So how, then, does the dissent suggest that we calculate a new application fee for formal complaints?” asked Pai, using a blank line to indicate Rosenworcel didn’t propose a solution. “Going forward, my staff and I will continue to search for ways to address issues that are never raised with us and that we’re thus unaware of, given this recurring issue,” Pai’s statement concludes. Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks partially dissented from the item, but only Rosenworcel and Pai released statements. Along with the complaint fee, the NPRM seeks comment on consolidating the application fees assessed on licenses for wireless services, streamlining the application fee schedule, and adopting the same cost-based fees for full-power and Class A TV stations. "It's a strange use of time for a Chairman's office that seems more bent on settling scores and protecting its thin skin than on protecting people's rights," said Free Press Vice President-Policy Matt Wood, who called Pai's statement a "tantrum." The formal complaint process isn't often used by individuals "because the process is time-intensive and expensive too," said Wood. "How is making it even more expensive supposed to help?"