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May 1, 2006

AARP Joins MML and MTA in fight against Cable Franchise Legislation

To: Mayor/President, City Manager, Finance Director & Cable Commission:

The American Association of Retired Persons, (AARP) of Michigan has joined the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Townships Association to help in the fight against the state issued cable franchise legislation being pushed by AT&T and other big phone companies. AARP, like the MML, wants more cable competition, but current cable franchise legislation allows big phone companies, such as AT&T, to serve only self defined “high-value” residents within a community, and leave behind many “medium value” and almost all “low-value” residents within a community. A “low-value” resident is a resident who spends less than $110 per month in telecommunications bills. The League, and locally elected officials, believe that ALL residents matter, and all community residents should get the benefit of competition. AT&T’s discrimination strategy needs to be stopped.

MML and MTA have approximately 700 resolutions and “open for business” letters. Our goal is to get over 1000 before July 1st. MML is asking all members to pass a resolution supporting local cable franchising, and send an “open for business” letter as soon as possible.

We encourage you to use the following resources and send copies to state legislatures, local media and MML.

Sample letter:download
Sample resolution: Download

Questions:
If you have any questions, please contact Joe Fivas at MML State & Federal Affairs Division at (517) 485-1314 or jfivas@mml.org