Save Access

from: CANTV

Don't Let AT&T Break the Connections That Hold Us Together!

Illinois House Bill 1500, backed by AT&T, is harmful to the people of Illinois and threatens public access stations like CAN TV.

Go to www.keepusconnected.org to learn more and find out how you can help.

click here to watch
the March 22 press conference with opponents to HB1500.

LISTEN to the Illinois House Telecommunications
Committee hearings on HB 1500:

click here for March 8 hearing with AT&T representatives

click here for CAN TV Executive Director Barbara Popovic's testimony at the March 15 hearing.

click here for March 15 hearing with Verizon, followed by PEG Access

click here for materials City of Naperville used in its presentation for the hearing on March 22

From: Wheeler News Service

Wisconsin Video Franchise Vote May Be Month Away

March 28, 2007

A bill to let phone companies offer cable-type TV and do away with locally-negotiated service and rate contracts will come up for a state Assembly vote in about a month. That’s what Speaker Mike Huebsch said after a nine-hour public hearing Tuesday.

On Thursday, March 22, the Keep Us Connected Coalition hosted this press conference to oppose Illinois House Bill 1500.

This AT&T-backed legislation abandons many public interest benefits and consumer protections which come through existing video franchising laws.

It also threatens Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) access stations.

frm: Blog for Iowa

Help Fight Public Help for Cable TV Companies

By Mike Brau

As you may have read, the Iowa Senate recently passed SF 544 which would change how communities franchise cable TV providers. Under the proposed law new entrants, specifically Qwest, would be given an opportunity to by-pass the municipal franchising process and receive a franchise from the state under preferential terms. Many of the community benefits negotiated by municipalities on behalf of their citizens would likely be lost as the bill contains a provision that if a competitor gives notice they intend to seek a state franchise that the incumbent cable operator can cancel their existing franchise and receive a state-issued franchise. The House Commerce Committee will likely be taking up the bill the week of April 1. Now is the time to contact Commerce Committee members.

from: Scripps News

Youth journalists talk about public access TV

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The FCC recently announced its recommendations on video franchising, allowing more companies into the cable television market. Its stated goal is to create more competition among companies, and savings per customer. But some people worry that the change could cause public access stations to lose the funding.

from: West Branch Times

Senate bill would ease burden on companies entering TV market

by Rob Poggenklass, March 28, 2007

A bill passed by the Iowa Senate last week would make it easier for cable TV service providers to enter new markets, by eliminating the companies’ need to negotiate franchise agreements with individual municipalities.

From: Cup of Joe

Shut Down the Plan to End Local Control of Cable Franchises

I'm encouraging all readers of this page and residents statewide to voice a loud opposition to a bill before the legislature which drains funds away from cities and counties, removes local control over cable franchise rights, and essentially hands the telephone companies both an unfair advantage and reduces existing standards of service.