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from: Madison.com

Editorial: Foul smell of campaign cash

State Sen. Jeff Plale, D-South Milwaukee, will not have to face the voters again until 2010.

Just re-elected with ease for another four-year term representing a safe Democratic district in one of the state's most Democratic counties, Plale has no need to be raising money for another campaign.

from: Badger Hearald

Lawmakers delay cable bill decision

by Keegan Kyle
Wednesday, April 25, 2007

State Democrats blocked Republican efforts in the Assembly and Senate Tuesday to pass legislation that aims to increase cable competition in Wisconsin.

In the Democrat-controlled Senate, legislators voted along party lines to send the bill to the Joint Finance Committee, which handles bills with significant financial implications.

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Assembly nears approval of cable bill
State would issue franchises to providers

By STEVEN WALTERS
swalters@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 24, 2007

Madison - The state Assembly on Tuesday tentatively approved a bill that would require state officials - instead of local governments - to issue cable TV and video broadcast franchises and investigate consumers' complaints.

from: Madison.com

Cable TV bill appears headed for passage
But vote will be postponed for fiscal impact study

Judith Davidoff
The Capital Times

Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, says there would be enough votes in the Senate to pass a controversial cable bill today, but she is going to postpone a vote until questions about its fiscal impact are resolved.

from Mary Cardona, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of Public Access Centers
www.wapconline.com

Goodbye West Allis Community Media Center

Monday, April 23, 2007

As a result of a vote in the Assembly this Tuesday and a vote in the Senate swiftly to follow, West Allis Community Media Center (WACMC) will likely be closing its doors. One of the largest jewels of public access television in the whole nation will be silenced after 25 years when the Wisconsin legislature votes for the Video Competition Act (SB 107), as currently amended.

from: Badger Herald

Decision coming for franchise bill

by Keegan Kyle
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

City officials across Wisconsin will watch the state Legislature closely this morning as it may pass a bill that would reshape the distribution of revenue-sharing agreements with cable, satellite and other broadcasters.

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

AT&T doles out $54,000 ahead of cable bill debate
Doyle, lawmakers say money won't affect stands on deregulation legislation

By STEVEN WALTERS
swalters@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 21, 2007

Madison - Communications giant AT&T pushed a controversial bill to have state government license cable systems by showering more than $54,000 in campaign cash on dozens of lawmakers and Gov. Jim Doyle over the past 15 months.

from: WEAU News

Cable Choice Bill: Could Hurt Community Television

Apr 19, 2007
Reporter: Meghan Kulig
Email Address: meghan.kulig@weau.com

A state bill designed to encourage competition among TV providers could actually end up hurting local community television stations.

State Representatives Terry Moulton and Jeff Wood have now come up with an amendment to the Cable Choice Bill that would extend some of the stations’ most important funding sources, called PEG fees.

from: River Falls Journal

Does cable franchise bill pit David versus Goliath?

Phil Pfuehler River Falls Journal
Published Friday, April 20, 2007

Dawn Wills believes city residents who like to watch local cable for River Falls Days, high school football, basketball, hockey and wrestling, church shows, summer park concerts, poetry readings, City Council meetings, the Memorial Day parade, Chamber of Commerce banquets and more should be plenty worried by the Video Franchising Competition Bill.

from: The Badger Herald

Cable bill could turn off city public access channels

by Keegan Kyle
Friday, April 20, 2007

As two legislative committees approved a statewide video franchise bill this week, Madison public station managers predicted future budget cuts, the loss of one channel or increased taxes.