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from: Germantown News

Cable bill pulled from consideration
By Terry Britt

If AT&T wants a piece of the Germantown cable provider scene, it's still going to have to go through the city's licensing procedures.

Wednesday, a legislative bill backed by AT&T was withdrawn from consideration by its sponsors, Reps. Steve McDaniel and Charles Curtiss. The bill would have given cable television providers like AT&T the ability to apply for a statewide franchise rather than going through individual municipalities.

from: The Times

House passes cable competition bill
posted Online: 2007-06-02

STEPHANIE SIEVERS, sng2@springnet1.com, 217-524-5797, ,

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House passed legislation Thursday expected to bring greater cable competition by making it easier for high-tech video providers such as AT&T to break into local television service markets.

from: The Columbus Dispatch

Bill Would Mean Lots of Money for Giants: AT&T, Time Warner Unite to Push Lawmakers

By Alan Johnson, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Jun. 3--A proposed state law expanding Ohioans' cable-video service options stretches 29 pages. But it can be summarized in just two words: big bucks.

from: Herald News

Will AT&T win battle?

June 3, 2007
By BOB OKON Staff writer

The unfinished business in Springfield includes legislation expected to have a big impact on the kind of TV service people get.

Senate Bill 678 is the latest version of legislation hotly contested by Comcast and AT&T.

Note: Still clueless in Texas, in these videoes AT&T spokespeople reveal how little they know about their company plans to provide carriage of PEG channels on their IPTV system

AT&T U-Verse plans for Public Access

AT&T executives spoke with Texas and Louisiana Public Access Providers In January 2007 about AT&T plans for PEG channels with its U-Verse service. Public Access Producers, concerned about the possible loss of public access, asked questions about their service or lack of service offerings (PEG Channels are not offered on U-verse at this time). Part 1 of 5.

from: Progress Ohio

Netroots First News: HOUSE IMPEDES PUBLIC ACCESS TO TESTIFY ON CABLE BILL
By Dave Harding - Jun 1st, 2007 at 2:16 pm EDT

Rules show bias toward public input on public utility issues

A contentious bill that would weaken long-standing consumer protections and limit local oversight of cable TV providers just got more contentious when the Chair of the Ohio House Public Utilities Committee created rules that impede public testimony on the bill.

Despite the gutting of muni broadband provisions, PEG provisions have somehow survived the AT&T legislative process in Illinois. Just in from a friend:

The Illinois bill passed the House 113-0 and is expected to pass the Senate tonight.

PEG Provisions in SB 678:

PEGs will receive 1% of gross revenues above the 5% franchise fee with a match in funds for PEGs with funding beyond 1%.

from: Sascha Meinrath

[UPDATE 3] AT&T and Legislators Collude to Pass 11-th Hour Telecom Reform. Illinois SB678 Analysis.

Thu, 2007-05-31 11:31

I am only just now getting a chance to make a first read of this amended 128-page document. AT&T's goal is to pass it by tomorrow -- with almost zero debate, due diligence, or public input. From what little I've garnered thus far, this amendment is an utter disaster for Illinois residents. It's being crammed through in a late-night legislative coup because it would never pass if legislators actually had time to read and analyze this massive document -- first I'll begin with most of the "old" language from SB678.

Triple Ploy and the Lie of Competition

In the past two years telephone companies have rushed to introduce national and statewide video franchising legislation around the country to better position themselves as cable TV providers.

from: Chicago Business

TV bill passes state House panel

May 31, 2007
By Paul Merrion

(Crain’s) — Legislation to bring TV over phones lines to Illinois, ending cable TV’s near-monopoly, is on the move in Springfield.

Ending lengthy negotiations, AT&T Corp. agreed early Thursday morning to a number of consumer protection provisions crafted for the legislation by Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Consumer groups and municipalities had fought an earlier version of the bill that would have allowed the phone company to win a statewide television franchise with few restrictions.