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from: Waxing America

November 08, 2007

Wisconsin Senate Passes "Video Competition" Bill; Defeats Amendments To Make It More Consumer-Friendly

I just consumed another entire day watching the "Video Competition" bill progress towards becoming law in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Senate debated and defeated a long series of amendments that would make the bill more consumer-friendly, more responsive to rural needs, more supportive of local PEG channels, more limiting in its terms and conditions and less of a giveaway to the cable and phone companies, and more responsive to the future importance of broadband infrastructure to our economy. Instead, the bill passed almost entirely as introduced in the Senate, and will need minimum adjusting to conform to the Assembly's version. It's a triumph for Senator Jeff Plale (D- Milwaukee), the chief Senate sponsor, and newly elected Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston), who made passage his first priority.

from: Associated Press

Doyle Supports Changes Made to Cable Bill

November 9, 2007

Gov. Jim Doyle says he doesn’t oppose the relatively minor changes made to a cable competition bill passed by the Senate.

Doyle still isn’t saying whether he will sign the bill. But the governor says he does think it will achieve its goal of increasing competition in the cable TV market.

from: WBAY

Senate passes cable competition bill

Associated Press - November 8, 2007 9:45 PM ET

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - AT & T would be able to more easily compete in Wisconsin under a bill that passed the state Senate today with bipartisan support.

The proposal would do away with local franchise agreements for offering cable TV services in place since the 1970s. Instead, a single statewide license would be issued.

from: Capital Times

AT&T Twists the Truth on Video Competition Bill

November 8, 2007
By Mary Cardona

AT&T lobbyists are gifted at twisting the truth. I’ve seen the inspired work of this intense and expensive propaganda campaign; with enough money, you can get people to believe the direct opposite of what is true.

from: Daily Cardinal

State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout explains why the cable competition bill should not be passed

The Daily Cardinal

Vinehout offers reasons to hold off now and wait for a better version of the bill

When you write the rules, you win the game. This week in the Senate, the fight will be over the rules governing the delivery of cable television, internet and telephone services for the foreseeable future. What kind of companies will get to compete? What rights will consumers have? Will local government have a say? At stake are billions of dollars.

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Cable TV Legislation Doesn’t Serve Consumers

November 7, 2007
By Cynthia J. Laitman

The state Senate today will be asked to vote on a bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) and Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee), that would drastically reduce Wisconsin’s control over our cable and broadband infrastructure.

from: Daily Cardinal

Senate Democrats divided on new amendment to cable bill
By: Sara Lieburn /The Daily Cardinal

The cable bill will be voted on by the full state Senate tomorrow, though some Senate Democrats disagree over the level of consumer protections present in the bill’s language. The bill has already passed the Assembly.

from: MultiChannel News

AT&T Wins Statewide Ohio Franchise
Telco Is First Provider to Win Agreement Under New Franchising Law
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 11/8/2007 8:42:00 AM

AT&T has become the first provider to be granted statewide video service authority under terms of Ohio’s new state franchising law.

from: WRN.com

WRN News
Vote expected on cable deregulation bill
Thursday, November 8, 2007, 12:36 AM
by John Colbert, WIBA

Opponents of a cable TV franchising bill that's up for a vote in the state Senate today are making a last-ditch attempt at changes. Fifteen Assembly Democrats are asking the Senate author of the bill to accept amendments that assure consumer protections for cable customers, if the measure becomes law.

from: Madison.com

Bill Moyers Journal seeks the 'teletruth' about cable deregulation

Show to shadow watchdog group founder today

Judith Davidoff — 11/08/2007 9:02 am

The cable deregulation bill before the state Senate today is drawing national attention.

A film crew and reporter from Bill Moyers Journal will be in Madison to cover the vote and to shadow Cynthia Laitman, the co-founder of the statewide chapter of TeleTruth, a telecommunications watchdog group.