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Cleveland Passes Resolution against State Franchise Bill

The City of Cleveland and others have gone on record in opposition to this Bill and Mayor Jackson has been very strong, along with City Council Utility Chair Matt Zone in stating the City's position.

Included here is the Resolution of Opposition supported by the Mayor and Council and the Mayor's letter & City Statement in Opposition.

from: Waxing America

Video Competition Bill Improved a Bit More

Yesterday, the Video Competition bill got improved quite a bit in the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities.

Today, the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Commerce, Utilities, and Rail added two more significant amendments, both very positive.

from: Bradenton Herald

Cable franchise bill moves forward

By LYNDSEY LEWIS
Herald Staff Writer

TALLAHASSEE --
Snubbing the lobbyists who showed for the battle, a panel of state lawmakers Wednesday approved a drive to put cable TV franchising in the state's hands.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, would also mean statewide franchising rights for phone companies.

from: KnoxViews

Cable franchise bill passes House sub-committee

The Tennessee House Utilities, Banking, and Small Business sub-committee voted 8 to 6 to recommend passage of the cable franchise bill that will eliminate local control of cable franchises.

from: Radio Iowa News

Bill allowing statewide cable TV franchise passes House

Wednesday, April 18, 2007, 11:32 AM
By O.Kay Henderson

The feud between two media companies earlier this year that kept some Iowa basketball games off Mediacom cable systems has gotten reaction from Iowa lawmakers. Last night, the Iowa House, on a 77 to 19 vote, passed a bill that rewrites the state's cable franchise law in hopes of lowering rates for customers. Currently, cable companies must negotiate individual service deals with local communities.

from: Madison.com

Consumers helped by cable bill

Jeff Richgels
The Capital Times

Consumer protections such as mandated credits for extended outages would not be eliminated under an amended version of a controversial cable TV bill that passed a state Assembly committee on Tuesday.

from: Washington Post

NY Attorney General Cuomo slams Verizon service

Reuters
Tuesday, April 17, 2007; 4:02 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo criticized telecommunications company Verizon Communications (VZ.N) on Tuesday for "chronically poor" telephone repair service in the state.

from: Times Free Press

Video franchising bill clears hurdle

Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at 9:39 p.m.

By Andy Sher
Nashville Bureau

NASHVILLE -- A statewide video franchising bill cleared a major House hurdle today when a House Commerce subcommittee amended the AT&T-backed measure and then passed it on an 8-6 vote.

from: Boston Globe

Verizon suspends push for Mass. TV franchises
Firm criticizes licensing process

By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe Staff | April 18, 2007

After spending an average of 15 months in each of 45 communities to win approval to offer television service, Verizon Communications Inc. has had enough for now: The company says it will stop seeking new applications in Massachusetts until it finishes all pending projects.

Keep it Local MA

Local control over public access channels, rights of way, and equal access are in jeopardy thanks to phone companies' attempts to change the rules. They want to exclude you and your neighbors from the process.

Simply, the issue is local control of cable television by people who know you and your neighbors best. In Massachusetts, cities and towns decide what companies provide cable television to residents.