California doubles down on the Verizon/Frontier deal over DEI

Verizon may have scored federal approval of its $20 billion Frontier acquisition, but the coast is far from clear stateside. California is scrutinizing the operator for ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The California Public Utilities Commission this week began conducting hearings to seek input on whether the Verizon/Frontier deal serves the public interest. Further, it’s asking Verizon to clarify which DEI policies and practices “could be associated with discrimination,” referencing the letter Verizon wrote to the Federal Communications Commission on May 15. And given Verizon said it will no longer maintain any workforce diversity goals, CPUC wants to know how the company plans to comply with California’s DEI laws. The state requires telecommunications providers and utilities to submit annual reports that describe their employment of “women, minority, disabled veteran, and LGBT individuals at all levels” as well as the policies that promote “equitable recruitment and hiring.”