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from: The Chattanoogan

City Council Moves Closer To Backing AT&T Bill
Littlefield Says He Welcomes Cable TV Competition
posted March 18, 2008

The City Council is moving closer to backing a bill sought by AT&T allowing it statewide franchise rights leading to development of a cable TV system.

from: Times Free Press

Commission hears cable competition proposal

By Holly Cowart
Community News Assistant Editor

Soddy-Daisy commissioners did not vote on a resolution supporting competition in the cable industry at their March 6 meeting, but expect to on March 20.

from: The Mountain Press

County's legislators support change to help AT&T

By: DEREK HODGES Staff Writer
March 10, 2008

"I've gotten more correspondence from voters on this one issue than I have about anything else since I got elected," State Sen. Raymond Finney, R-Maryville, said. "I've been amazed at just how strongly people feel about this."

from: Mountain Times

Sevierville BOMA among opponents of AT&T proposal
By: DEREK HODGES Staff Writer March 10, 2008

That vote was conveyed to state lawmakers representing the area and was done immediately following a request from AT&T representative Dennis Wagner that the Board of Mayor and Aldermen support the move.

from: MultiChannel News

Tenn. Eyes New Franchising Bill
Proposal Would Give Authority 90 Days To Act On Application
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 3/5/2008 8:34:00 AM

A state franchising proposal, which would create a new state commission composed of city and county officials, has passed the Tennessee House utilities, banking and small business committee.

from: The Tennessean

AT&T bill clears first hurdle in House

By NAOMI SNYDER
Staff Writer
March 5, 2008

Rep. Charles Curtiss, D-Sparta, who complained he was "left standing at the altar" by AT&T during the last legislative session, was able to get his alternative AT&T bill passed through state House subcommittee Tuesday.

from: Chattanoogan

Tennessee AT&T President Sees Need For Video Franchise Reform
by Dana Wilbourn
posted February 28, 2008

Click to Enlarge
Photo by Dana Wilbourn
Gregg Morton, president of AT&T in Tennessee
Gregg Morton, president of AT&T in Tennessee, told the Chattanooga Rotary Club on Thursday that there is a need for video franchise reform in Tennessee. “It’s time for competition, choice, and better pricing for Tennesseans,” he said.

from: Bitch Slappin'

Connect Tennessee and the Battle over State Franchising

There’s another AT&T sponsored Cable Franchising Bill in Tennessee, this one being pushed by the Telecom Astroturf group “Connected Tennessee“. It’s not the only Tennessee Cable Franchise bill, but it is the one getting the most press and attention, probably because of the dough that’s being slung around, and now that telecom money is being handed out to Democrats, much to the chagrin of the Repuglycans, who seem to be running on a budget these days.

from: Daily News journal

Kimbrell: AT&T bill holds key to future
By ED KIMBRELL

For the past few weeks, behind closed doors at the state Capitol, American Telephone and Telegraph, Comcast cable, the Tennessee Municipal League, and selected legislators have been trying to forge a tortured compromise about the Internet's future in the state.

from: Cup of Joe

Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Connected TN Backers A Front for AT&T? (Part 2)

I have a couple of updates to add on my post from last week regarding the creation of state and national programs focusing on expanding internet access which also seems to work not only as a PR machine for AT&T but as a lobbying agency as well. A flurry of activity has been taking place and rapid changes are ahead.