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Note: Arizona passed a form of statewide video franchise last year. Now Tucson is in a struggle with COX, the local cable provider which is playing hard ball in negotiations and is now attempting to push through more legislation, HB 2069, that would force cities to accept the state franchise from cable companies. We can expect to see these battles arise around the country as more statewide franchises are forced upon cities.

from: The Daily New Journal

Leonhirth: Media giants go toe-to-toe

A goal of media companies for the past few years has been "one world, one wire," of the provision of all media services through one wire. With the convergence of television, telephone and Internet access, the only question that appears to remain is: "Which wire?"

from: Online Athens

Video franchise legislation needs to be put into law
Editorial
February 24, 2007

A bill now in the state House of Representatives could, at long last, put cable television customers whose local franchisee has subjected them to poor customer service and rising prices into a competitive marketplace.

from: Chicago Business

Lawmakers: Bill would spur TV provider competition

Feb. 23, 2007
By Brandon Glenn

(Crain’s) — Two state legislators have proposed changes to laws that they say would spur competition among pay-television service providers.

AT&T Inc. has pushed hard for the changes as it seeks to roll out its new television service in the state, but current providers object to the proposal, saying it would enable new providers to offer service only to wealthy customers, giving them an unfair advantage.

from: pantagraph.com

AT&T seeks state law to offer TV
By Kurt Erickson

SPRINGFIELD — A battle for control of your television remote control is brewing in the State Capitol.

In an announcement Thursday, telephone giant AT&T rolled out its plan to change state law so it can begin offering television service to Illinoisans over their phone and Internet wires.

This page last updated 4/7/07
Recent State News via saveaccess: newswire

Bill Number(s):
SB 209 Read Bill

Status:
1/26/07 - SB 209, “State Franchising Authority for Video Services,” was introduced into the Senate by Curts Bramble (R-16).

from: Union Librarian

"We are not going to let Verizon turn the information super highway into a dirt road in New England, " vows IBEW Local 2320 business manager Glenn Brackett.

Verizon Workers Fight Rural Telecom Redlining In New England

By Steve Early

from: Florida Today

Cable oversight bill advances in House
BY BILL COTTERELL
FLORIDA TODAY
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Illinois Turn for Franchise-Reform Bill

By The Associated Press

(Multichannel News) _ A franchise-reform bill was introduced in Illinois that, in addition to allowing statewide authorization for newcomers, would allow overbuilders to drop local agreements in favor of statewide franchises.

As currently written, the bill would hold only incumbent cable operators to current franchises until their statutory end dates. As written, the exemption in HB1500 would appear to benefit the second operator to market, such as RCN in Chicago, and providers with even newer local agreements, such as Verizon Communications, which negotiated a local pact with North Chicago, Ill.

from: ulctlegislative.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 22, 2007
Telecom Stalemate and Eminent Domain Fight Loom

After a short meeting with many of the cable franchise stakeholders and the two powerful legislators (Senator Curt Bramble and Representative Steve Urquhart) who happen to be on opposite sides of the cable franchise debate, it appears that a stalemate on the issue will be unavoidable.