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Note: An example of what we can expect to see when state franchising rollouts imapact on current city-cable franchise negotiations.

from: Arizona Daily Star

Takeover language may scuttle Cox pact
By Rob O'Dell
Arizona Daily Star
Published: 03.10.2007

The up and down negotiations between the city and Cox Communications over its cable franchise look to be heading down again.

Note: An example of what we can expect to see when state franchising rollouts impact on current city-cable franchise negotiations.

from: Arizona Daily Star

Takeover language may scuttle Cox pact
By Rob O'Dell
Arizona Daily Star
Published: 03.10.2007

The up and down negotiations between the city and Cox Communications over its cable franchise look to be heading down again.

Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO: Endorse Video Competition Bill

3/7/2007

Thursday March 8, 2007 Contact: Ann Crump, Communications Workers of America 414-525-4292

Groups Say Bill is Critical to Future of Union Telecom Jobs

Madison, WI – The Communications Workers of America (CWA-IUE), a labor organization representing more than 10,000 workers in Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO said Thursday they strongly support a bill that would promote video competition and encourage job growth.

Note: TV4US mentioned in this article is an astroturf organization funded by AT&T

from: Gazette Extra

Lawmakers introduce bill to increase cable competition in Wis.

(Published Friday, March 9, 2007 10:25:18 AM CST)

By Scott Bauer
Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. - To increase competition in the cable TV market, lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday to make it easier for new companies to enter a community.

from: Asbury Park Press

More bucks spent on lobbying, or is it just more disclosure?

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 03/9/07

BY GREGORY J. VOLPE
GANNETT STATE BUREAU

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TRENTON — Money spent on lobbying in New Jersey nearly doubled last year, as state leaders grappled with the beleaguered budget, tried to reform a tax system that has yielded the nation's highest property tax bills and voted to allow competition for cable TV services.

Tell Illinois Representatives to OPPOSE Illinois House Bill 1500.
This Thursday, March 8, the Illinois House Telecommunications Committee will vote on the AT&T-backed Illinois House Bill 1500. HB 1500:

* Shuts down Public, Educational and Government (PEG) stations around the state
* Drops requirements that companies serve everyone
* Weakens customer service protections
* Harms fair competitions

From: Florida Times

Consumer groups or covert lobbyists?
Groups with names that may mislead flock to telecom debate.

By Rebecca Catalanello, Times Staff Writer
Published March 5, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - More than a half-dozen people flanked Rep. Trey Traviesa as he announced his new legislation: "This is not a phone bill, a cable bill, a local government bill," he said. "It's a coalition endeavor, a consumer endeavor."

from: IndyBay

California PUC Elects to Not Fully Implement Cable Legislation AB 2987

by ron cooper
Monday Mar 5th, 2007 2:05 PM

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has rejected the oversight role the CA Legislature thought it had mandated in AB 2987. In a perfunctory vote, the state PUC rejected the protests of California cities and consumer groups, deciding against any direct oversight of the state's new statewide video-service franchises for phone and cable companies. PEG access provisions of the bill are now threatened.

from: Global Friefunk

Worst Video Franchise Bill in the Country Introduced in Illinois. AKA, Which Corporation Wrote Illinois HB 1500?

2007-03-05

The worst state franchise bill I've ever read has just been introduced in Illinois -- ironically called the "Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007" -- this act guarantees redlining of un(der)served communities, the poor, and the rural. Among other horrendous provisions (which are far too numerous to enumerate), any service provider who fails to deliver even the utterly abysmal service provision requirements required by the law can get an extension or even a waiver of service for, among other things, "Developments or buildings being inaccessible using reasonable technical solutions under commercially reasonable terms and conditions" (Page 28). The terms of the state franchise deal are far worse than comparative measures introduced in other states (for example, Michigan and California).

from: Metro West Daily News

Verizon wants to even cable playing field

By Andrew J. Manuse/Daily News staff
Sunday, March 04, 2007 - Updated: 11:01 PM EST

In its latest effort to convince state lawmakers to make cable licensing a state-level job, Verizon Communications Inc. said its main competitor is unfairly benefiting from the current local-level process.