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from: Illinois Issues

Stay tuned on cable bill
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

A measure posing AT&T against local cable and telephone companies could come to light soon in a House committee, where it’s been stalled for more than a month. The House Telecommunications Committee met Tuesday morning but recessed to “the call of the chair,” allowing sponsor Rep. James Brosnahan, an Evergreen Park Democrat, to reconvene the committee as soon as the compromise language is ready to go. He said he hopes that would happen in the next two days.

from: Houston Chronicle

May 24, 2007, 8:44PM
A crisis at public access TV
By LISA FALKENBERG

Half-hour from downtown, turtles float, alligators sun and birds bathe in Armand Bayou.

Houston has the most successful Crime Stoppers in the world, helping solve 1,152 cases last year.

from: Post Crescent

Video franchising a front-yard issue
Grand Chute leader wary of AT&T's roadside cabinets

By Ed Lowe
Post-Crescent staff writer
Posted May 27, 2007

GRAND CHUTE — Town Administrator Mark Rohloff concedes the state battle over the so-called video competition act won’t be decided by concerns about neighborhood aesthetics.

from: Free Press
Don't let AT&T buy Ohio! Save Free Speech! Save Public Access Television!

from: MetroPulse

Big Bucks
The full-employment-for-lobbyist bill this year is about your cable bill

by Frank Cagle

Every legislative session there is a full-employment-for-lobbyist bill--some battle between well-heeled business interests requiring a squadron of wheeler dealers to advise our citizen legislators on what's good for the folks back home.

from: Knox Views

AT&T cable bill to be withdrawn

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2007/05/24

Sponsors of the AT&T statewide cable franchise bill say they will withdraw the bill for this year. They didn't feel they would have they votes and they are disappointed by the lack of support from local governments. It will likely be back for the 2008 session.

from: The City Paper

AT&T bill for cable franchising delayed until ’08, lawmakers say
By John Rodgers, jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com
May 24, 2007

AT&T-backed legislation to allow the telecom to get a statewide television franchise to start competing against cable companies will be delayed until 2008, key lawmakers said Wednesday.

from: Keep Us Connected

Hearing and Possible Vote on HB 1500
When: Thursday, May 24 at 10 a.m.
Where: Capitol Building, Room 118, Springfield, Illinois

As originally written, HB 1500 is harmful to the people of Illinois. The Illinois Telecommunications Committee continues to work with the Illinois Attorney General's office, municipalities, public, educational and government (PEG) access TV centers, and other parties on an amendment to HB 1500. Work continues on the original form of HB 1500 in order to protect public access channels and to bring meaningful competition and consumer protections to Illinois residents. Click here for original draft of HB 1500.

from: Knox Views

AT&T cable bill clears Senate Commerce Committee
Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/05/23

Tom Humphrey files this report. There was some drama involving e-mails, high-profile lobbyists, and an exchange between an AT&T lobbyist and Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville), who objected to being called an "obstructionist." He voted against the bill in the committee.

from: Know Views

Local cable control getting unplugged

I haven't been following the AT&T/cable legislation much, but bloggers Joe Powell and R. Neal have.

Joe Powell: As I've written before, I have no opposition to AT&T wanting to jump into the cable business - but to make that decision only after state law is altered, only after local control of cable franchises has been removed, provides no benefit to the consumer and muddles the procedures for how such franchises would be held accountable.