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Note: This is just a small example of the political weight a 260 billion dollar company can throw around in a state legislature. Texas set the standard in 2005 when AT&T and Verizon had one lobbyist for each state legislator. This isn't so much politics as a corporate takeover.

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

from: NY Times

AT&T Has Done the Deals. Now It Needs Results.
March 27, 2007

By MATT RICHTEL
Edward E. Whitacre Jr., the chairman and chief executive of AT&T, is captivating several hundred employees in an Atlanta auditorium with a pep talk about the rosy future of the world’s largest telephone company. His demeanor is commanding, cut with a practiced avuncular charm.

from: Telephony Online

AT&T CEO paid $32M for 2006
By Ed Gubbins

Mar 23, 2007 11:19 AM

AT&T paid Ed Whitacre nearly $32 million for his work as the company’s chairman and chief executive officer last year.

Whitacre, 65, received a $2.1-million base salary, $6.78 million in incentives and stock worth about $22 million at the time it was awarded. He also made more than $268,000 in returns on deferred income and nearly $462,000 in other benefits, such as life insurance and the use of the corporate airplane and other transportation.

Message: Earth to Sen. Bill Ketron - you are dreaming and living inside an AT&T advertisement - please wake up!

from: The Murfreesboro Post

Competitive cable bill drawing some fire
By ERIN EDGEMON Business Editor

Legislation drafted to create competition in the cable industry won't hurt municipalities; it will lower customers’ monthly bill, said the bill's co-sponsor.

Note: In NY State both Verizon and the cable companies are against the current legislation which calls for strong build-out requirements, progressive PEG provisions, a level of local control and net neutrality protections. A fourth NY state bill sets a 30 day shot clock and preserves local control, also not favored by Verizon. By the contrast - the Florida Bill is terrible.

From: CED Magazine

from: Dayton Daily News

Bill 117 would have drastic effects on cable competition, public access

By Jim DeBrosse

Staff Writer

Sunday, March 25, 2007

COLUMBUS — Consumer groups call it "cherry-picking" or "redlining" — allowing cable and phone companies to target affluent, densely populated areas for the latest in computer and video services while ignoring minorities, the poor and rural areas.

from: Dayton Daily News

AT&T advocating statewide permits for utility growth
Backers say bill will lower cable costs, but consumer groups say it benefits suburbs and ignores urban poor and rural areas.

By Jim DeBrosse
Staff Writer

from: Rockford Register Star

AT&T Backs IIlinois Video Franchise Legislation

From Rockford Register Star, March 21, 2007
By Kiyoshi Martinez

Two communication industry behemoths are battling over how TV programming gets to Illinois homes.

On one side, AT&T wants to re-enter the broadband market and compete directly with cable companies to supply video services — a market worth $32 billion nationally in 2006.

from: MultiChannel News

Cablers, AT&T Compromise in Connecticut
New Version of Legislation Brings Telcos, Incumbent Cable Operators Closer to Parity

By Linda Haugsted3/16/2007 5:52:00 PM

Last year’s fight for video reform in Connecticut would have allowed new entrants in while locking incumbents into their franchises until a competitor reached 20% of towns in a franchise.

from: Colombia Tribune

City leaders fear effects of cable bill
Deal with Mediacom might become moot.

By MATTHEW LeBLANC of the Tribune’s staff
Published Monday, March 19, 2007

A measure that would allow the state to control local cable TV franchise agreements has Columbia leaders upset.