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from: Technology Daily

NEW YORK BILL WOULD IMPOSE NET NEUTRALITY RULES

May 16, 2007 Wednesday
PM EDITION

A comprehensive telecommunications bill making its way through the New York legislature also includes language to mandate the equal treatment of high-speed content on the Internet. The so-called network neutrality provision is part of a proposal, A.B. 3980, to overhaul the state’s video-franchising rules by allowing service providers to seek statewide deals. The legislation also would establish a state broadband development authority.

from: Broadcasting and Cable

NCTA Supports Broadband Mapping Bill

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable,
5/16/2007 6:40:00 AM

The cable industry supports a bill that would require federal agencies, both the National Telecommunications & Information Administration and the FCC, to collect more, and more precise, data on the rollout of broadband service in the U.S..

from: The Tennessean

Don't turn local franchising of cable over to the profit sector

By ELLIOTT MITCHELL
Wednesday, 05/16/07
Tennessee Voices

As a volunteer board member of Nashville's Metropolitan Educational Access Corp., I have been extremely interested in AT&T's proposal for video-franchising legislation because it threatens the future of public, educational and governmental access (PEG) channels across Tennessee.

Note: Astroturf Alert!

from: NY Sun

Don't Neutralize Franchise Reform

BY PHILIP KERPEN
May 17, 2007

New York is doing the right thing for consumers by deregulating video services, increasing competition and consumer choice. So why in the world would Albany consider doing the exact opposite when it comes to Internet service — imposing new Internet regulations that could dry up investment dollars and stifle competition?

from: St Petersburg Times

Justice Department backs cable change
It says lower rates, better service are possible.

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published May 17, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - The lobbying remains intense on both sides of a bill to let phone companies largely bypass local regulation to offer video programming to Florida consumers.

from: National Journal

FCC Chief Pledges Loyalty To USF, Reforms

By David Hatch

(Tuesday, May 15) FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has responded to a detailed query from Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., regarding the regulator's positions on the multibillion-dollar universal service program that subsidizes telecommunications and Internet connections in rural and impoverished areas.

from: Daily Southtown

Not Just ‘a Bunch of Hooey’

May 16, 2007
By Barbara Popovic

In “Cable wars” (Insight, May 13), the Southtown reports on AT&T’s push for statewide franchising, launched with House Bill 1500 at the beginning of this year’s Illinois legislative session.

from: The Enterprise

Taunton council opposes cable TV bill

By Donna Kulpa, Enterprise correspondent

TAUNTON — The City Council voted Tuesday to oppose a bill that would allow a cable TV company to bypass negotiations with communities when setting up a new cable franchise.

from: Tampa Tribune

Cable Legislation Shafts Consumers

May 15, 2007
By Michael Sittig

For the past two years, the telecommunications industry has stated that local government regulations have prevented them from providing a competitive alternative to “monopolistic” cable franchises.

from: The Albany Project

All Together Now: Pass and Sign the Telecom Reform Act

by: Pete Sikora
Tue May 15, 2007 at 07:36:11 AM EDT

Or is it altogether now? Whatever. The point is that today at 11:30am the groups supporting the bill are standing together to call on the State Legislature and the Governor to move the Brodsky/Leibell Telecommunications Reform Act (A.3980B/S.5124).