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from: Times Free Press

Lawmakers discuss amendment in cable bill

Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at 1:38 p.m.

By Andy Sher
Nashville Bureau

NASHVILLE — A Hamilton County lawmaker said he will offer an amendment this afternoon in a House subcommittee that he hopes will ease opposition to a statewide video franchising bill.

from: Waxing America

AB 207 Amended; Worst Aspects Fixed Somewhat

April 17, 2007

AB 207 passed the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities today on a vote of 8-1. There were a number of amendments introduced by Chairman Montgomery, several of which improved the bill significantly. I'm still reviewing them, but at first glance they:

HB 227 is on the verge of passage, approved by the Georgia House and Senate the bill now goes to the governor. 4/17/07

HB 227, Consumer Choice for Television Act Read Bill

HB 227 Status:
01/31/2007 House First Readers
02/01/2007 House Second Readers
02/22/2007 House Committee Favorably Reported

from: Madison.com

Cable industry, AT&T helped shape video franchising bill
Judith Davidoff
The Capital Times

A legislative drafting memo shows that AT&T and the Wisconsin cable industry had a heavy hand in shaping a controversial video franchising bill before it was introduced to the state legislature, critics of the bill say.

from: Daytona Beach News Journal

Consumers Lose if State Takes Cable TV Control

April 16, 2007
By Carl Laundrie

Under the battle cry of creating a more competitive market, state legislators are considering a bill that would transfer the regulation of cable TV franchise agreements from local government, to the state.

CMW NewsTips

Cable Deregulation Challenged
Newstip Date: 04-16-2007

Growing attention on a proposed statewide cable franchise bill could slow a legislative blitz by supporters of telecommunications giant AT&T.

State Representative James Brosnahan (D-Oak Lawn) was expecting the House Telecommunications Committee he chairs to vote Wednesday to approve HB 1500, the franchise bill he has sponsored, but the vote could be delayed. The bill would strip local municipalities of cable franchising power and create state franchises authorized by the Illinois Commerce Commission, going far toward deregulating the industry in Illinois.

from: Madison.com

Cable officials, bill authors met

TUE., APR 17, 2007 - 12:57 AM
MARK PITSCH 608-252-6145
mpitsch@madison.com

As legislative aides drafted a cable competition bill this year for Rep. Phil Montgomery, R- Ashwaubenon, officials from telecommunications giant AT&T and the state's cable providers got a chance to express their opinions about the measure in a private meeting while opponents didn't, according to state records and interviews.

from: Cup of Joe

Fiction and Facts on Bill for Cable Franchises

Monday, April 16, 2007
Joe Powell

The state continues to consider handing AT&T a sweet deal to bypass local control of cable franchises and has picked up the support of the ever-dubious lobbying of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, which continues to exude hearty support for corporate interests and little support for the average Tennessean.

Note: TV4US is a notorious astroturf organization paid for by the telephone companies to build support for telco legislation.

from: Tampa Bay 10

Supporters of bill to create more competition for cable TV reveal plan

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Supporters of a bill that would make it easier for telephone companies to offer video services to Floridians distributed thousands of petitions in support of the plan to state lawmakers today.