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from: The Tennessean

Don't turn local franchising of cable over to the profit sector

By ELLIOTT MITCHELL
Wednesday, 05/16/07
Tennessee Voices

As a volunteer board member of Nashville's Metropolitan Educational Access Corp., I have been extremely interested in AT&T's proposal for video-franchising legislation because it threatens the future of public, educational and governmental access (PEG) channels across Tennessee.

Note: Astroturf Alert!

from: NY Sun

Don't Neutralize Franchise Reform

BY PHILIP KERPEN
May 17, 2007

New York is doing the right thing for consumers by deregulating video services, increasing competition and consumer choice. So why in the world would Albany consider doing the exact opposite when it comes to Internet service — imposing new Internet regulations that could dry up investment dollars and stifle competition?

from: St Petersburg Times

Justice Department backs cable change
It says lower rates, better service are possible.

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published May 17, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - The lobbying remains intense on both sides of a bill to let phone companies largely bypass local regulation to offer video programming to Florida consumers.

from: Daily Southtown

Not Just ‘a Bunch of Hooey’

May 16, 2007
By Barbara Popovic

In “Cable wars” (Insight, May 13), the Southtown reports on AT&T’s push for statewide franchising, launched with House Bill 1500 at the beginning of this year’s Illinois legislative session.

from: The Enterprise

Taunton council opposes cable TV bill

By Donna Kulpa, Enterprise correspondent

TAUNTON — The City Council voted Tuesday to oppose a bill that would allow a cable TV company to bypass negotiations with communities when setting up a new cable franchise.

from: Tampa Tribune

Cable Legislation Shafts Consumers

May 15, 2007
By Michael Sittig

For the past two years, the telecommunications industry has stated that local government regulations have prevented them from providing a competitive alternative to “monopolistic” cable franchises.

from: The Albany Project

All Together Now: Pass and Sign the Telecom Reform Act

by: Pete Sikora
Tue May 15, 2007 at 07:36:11 AM EDT

Or is it altogether now? Whatever. The point is that today at 11:30am the groups supporting the bill are standing together to call on the State Legislature and the Governor to move the Brodsky/Leibell Telecommunications Reform Act (A.3980B/S.5124).

frm: Kane County Chronicle

Officials: Boxes increase awareness

By KAREN LONG - klong@kcchronicle.com

GENEVA – Some concerns that Geneva officials had about a bill for state-issued authorization for cable and video services might be addressed through amendments.

from: Grand Rapids Community Media Center

CMC announces reduced hours as details of new state cable franchising rules hit home

File under Television | Link to this item
Posted 5/10/2007

GRAND RAPIDS — Starting Monday, May 14, 2007 the Community Media Center will be operating on a reduced schedule, due to a funding interruption brought about by new Uniform Video Franchising legislation recently enacted by Michigan lawmakers. Because of this one-time funding loss, CMC is forced to reduce its total hours of operation by nearly 20 hours per week.

from: Knox News

TV cable bill piles up lobby costs

Funds spent for and against measure total $2M each side

By TOM HUMPHREY, tomhumphrey3@aol.com
May 16, 2007

NASHVILLE - Lobbying in support of legislation to revise state cable television law has cost almost $2 million, roughly the same amount as lobbying against it, according to disclosures filed Wednesday with the Tennessee Ethics Commission.