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WI: Opinions split on cable TV bill
from: Sheboygan Press
For the bill: www.wewantchoice.com
Against the bill: www.saveaccesswisconsin.org
Posted April 27, 2007
Opinions split on cable TV bill
Lower rates may also lead to less local control
By Eric Litke
Sheboygan Press staff
A state bill nearing approval that could lower cable TV rates may also take away nearly all local control of cable franchises, which has city officials worried.
TN: Comcast miffed as Chamber takes cable stance
from: Nashville City Paper
Comcast miffed as Chamber takes cable stance
By Bill Harless, bharless@nashvillecitypaper.com
April 27, 2007
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce board endorsed state legislation yesterday that would allow telecommunications giant AT&T — which recently merged with BellSouth — to obtain a statewide franchise to provide television service.
Missing: Politicians who take a clear stand on tech
from: CNET
Missing: Politicians who take a clear stand on tech
By Declan McCullagh
Story last modified Fri Apr 27 05:56:27 PDT 2007
Net neutrality became one the hottest political flashpoints in the last year. But in what might seem to be an odd omission, both Republicans and Democrats studiously ignored it this week when touting their technology agendas for 2007.
Also absent from the list of congressional priorities for the new Congress were controversial topics like social network restrictions, Internet surveillance, data retention, spyware, and laws aimed at regulating Google and its competitors when doing business in China.
IA: Iowa Franchise Bill Passes on to Governor’s Desk
from: Iowa City Press-Citizen
Iowa Franchise Bill Passes on to Governor’s Desk
April 26, 2007
By Maria Houser Conzemius
There is a new guy in town—Qwest. SF554 (video franchise bill) has passed the Senate and House, even though our representatives put up a valiant fight. But there is still hope.
FL: Bennett Makes Red-lining Affordable
Note: In a multi-billion dollar Florida cable market, 50K a month amounts to little more than a parking ticket. Red-lining violations should be met with the revoking of the franchise agreement. This is nothing more than a Republican white collar legislator writing an amendment to protect white collar criminals.
from: Bradenton.com
OH: Council voices opposition to cable measure
from: Vindy.com
Council voices opposition to cable measure
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS — City council opposes a proposed state law that would eliminate local control of cable television providers and cost the city in excess of $100,000 a year.
Auditor Tina Morell said that Struthers will realize about $108,000 in 2007 from a cable franchise fee and that it increases slightly each year.
OH: The SB 117 hearing
from: Callahan's Diary
The SB 117 hearing
Well, I just dragged my butt into the house after driving back from the “opponents and interested parties” hearing on Senate Bill 117, which lasted from 4 to 8 pm. First thing I saw was Jill’s post thanking me, Matt Zone, LVO et al. for what Openers reported as a “retreat” by the bill’s supporters on some key issues.
TN: Can the chamber paper over differences?
from: Nashville Post
Can the chamber paper over differences?
Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse
04-26-2007 1:18 PM —
If you are a member of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, you are now in an uncomfortable position.
NashvillePost.com has learned that the chamber's Board of Directors will be presented a "white paper" today on the video franchising debate that is raging in the Tennessee State Legislature. Sources familiar with the report fear that it will pit major Chamber of Commerce members like AT&T and Comcast against each other.
FCC: Open Access Included in 700 MHz Spectrum Notice!
Note: Excellent comments from Harold Feld on yesterday's FCC ruling on the 700 MHz Spectrum Auction. This spectrum, currently used for a range of UHF TV stations, is prized for its many potential wireless broadband applications. It was feared the auction would give this valuable spectrum a handful of large corporations - but now it may still be possible for there to be public interest set-asides. This is significant since many of the state video franchises in motion are also well disguised 'broadband initiatives' that limit the possibility of public and municipal offerings of these essential services. – saveaccess
from: Wet Machine
Open Access Included in Spectrum Notice! Fish In Trees! Rivers Running Uphill!
Posted By: Harold
WI: AT$T Bill Rammed Through Wisconsin Assembly
from: Waxing America
AT&T Bill Rammed Through Wisconsin Assembly; Senate Follows the Law and Refers Bill to Joint Finance
In a marathon session yesterday, the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly defeated over two dozen Democratic-sponsored amendments on party-line votes and passed AT&T's "video competition" bill, AB 207. The Senate, on the other hand, followed state law and referred SB 107, its version of the bill, to the Joint Finance Committee for consideration of the costs to the taxpayers of Wisconsin.
