Save Access

Forbes

Lawmakers meet with reps on cable bill
02.05.08, 1:24 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh on Monday denied there's been a lack of transparency in the handling of a contentious proposal to change cable permitting rules in Tennessee to encourage broadband access around the state.

Naifeh, a Covington Democrat, told reporters Monday legislative leaders from both parties have been meeting with representatives from AT&T Inc. and other cable businesses for the past five weeks to work on compromise legislation, but the media has not been invited to any of the meetings.

Naifeh said about 15 representatives from AT&T and other cable businesses and several lawmakers have been present during the meetings.

When questioned about the matter, Naifeh said there's no hidden agenda but that all parties want to first work out the 'technical issues' of the proposal.

'Let's get it all worked out ... then let us as legislators go over it and determine what we want to be the bill,' said Naifeh, who was joined by Republican sponsors of the legislation from both chambers.

Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, agreed with Naifeh.

'I won't calendar the bill until I feel comfortable ... that Tennesseans are getting what they're requesting,' he said.

Naifeh nor any of the lawmakers provided specifics about the proposal. But Naifeh did address criticism from Gov. Phil Bredesen who told the Chattanooga Time Free Press in an interview last month he didn't think what Naifeh is 'trying to do can be successful.'

'I respectfully disagree,' Naifeh said. 'We're going to have a bill.'

On Monday, the governor seemed to have changed his tune. His spokeswoman, Lydia Lenker, released a statement saying the governor 'is pleased ... progress is being made and he appreciates Speaker Naifeh's leadership on this issue.'

'He is encouraged to know these efforts are focused on building a plan that will benefit all Tennesseans,' she said.

Bredesen has said he would get involved in the proposal. He stayed out of last year's legislative fight over the measure that would create statewide franchising rules that would allow companies like AT&T to avoid having to seek hundreds of municipal permits as it enters the cable TV business.

The measure failed last year, but the speakers of both chambers have said they consider this year's effort to have a better chance to pass.

Earlier last month he declined to tell the Associated Press what his specific proposal would be, other than that he wants to 'take some leadership and direction' on the issue.

Cable and telecommunications groups spent at least $10.7 million in the fight over the proposal last year, according to lobbying records.

AT&T says the measure would allow for more competition for cable consumers. The company wants to roll out its U-verse package, which delivers TV content to consumers using the Internet, rather than traditional cable or broadcast formats.

Local governments opposed the measure over worries that the change would lead them to lose control over who has access to cable service. Currently, municipalities can negotiate franchise agreements that require companies to provide service to everyone, not just wealthier residents or residents in urban areas.

Naifeh said there's still work to be done on the legislation but that all involved want a final proposal that's fair to consumers.

'That's been our number one goal as we've gone through this process,' he said.