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from: Lakeland Highlights

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
ATT Cable Bill-Oppose it!

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners adopted a Resolution urging Tennessee State Representatives and Senators to oppose the ATT Cable bill and I urge Lakeland residents (and any Tennessee citizen) to insist that this bill be defeated! I have enclosed a copy of the Resolution.

from: News-Leader

Bill likely to alter cable services in Springfield

News-Leader Staff and Wire Services

Jefferson City — Legislators gave final approval Thursday to legislation intended to spur video competition by making it easier for telecommunications companies such as AT&T to offer television service in Missouri.

Missourian News

Cable bill switches control of TV from city to state
Governor’s approval expected for bill that gives more cable access to companies

By CLIFF AINSWORTH
March 16, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY — A bill that landed on Gov. Matt Blunt’s desk Thursday could drastically alter the way cable television service is offered to Missourians.

from: Technoogy Daily

At Hearing, House Democrats Grill FCC Chairman Martin

By David Hatch

(Wednesday, March 14) The gloves came off as Democratic House members who had waited years to conduct FCC oversight leveled strong accusations at FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

The hearing before the Energy and Commerce Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., marks the second time this year that the FCC's five commissioners have have testified before Congress as a group.

from: News Register

Cities to fight federal cable television ruling

Published: March 15, 2007

By NICOLE MONTESANO
Of the News-Register

Across the country, city officials are denouncing a Federal Communications Commission ruling restricting city and county authority to regulate cable TV and assess cable TV franchise fees.

from: Kansas City Business Journal

Statewide video franchise bill advances in Missouri

Kansas City Business Journal
March 15, 2007

The Missouri House on Wednesday approved a bill to allow both telephone and cable companies to secure statewide video franchise agreements in Missouri.

from: CNET

House Democrats take aim at FCC practices

By Anne Broache

Story last modified Thu Mar 15 06:15:16 PDT 2007

WASHINGTON--The Federal Communications Commission endured a bruising on Wednesday from congressional Democrats who accused the regulators of overstepping their authority, lagging in answering consumer complaints, and operating in secret.

from: Internet News

March 15, 2007
House Democrats Blast FCC Policies
By Roy Mark

WASHINGTON -- House Democrats began their oversight reign of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today with a broadside of criticism over the GOP-controlled agency's operation.

Over the course of a testy three-hour hearing, Democrats found fault with the FCC's handling of the AT&T-BellSouth merger, broadband penetration rates, the digital television transition, cable franchise rules and lack of interoperability among first responders.

from: Belleville News Democrat

House votes for cable competition bill

DAVID A. LIEB
Associated Press
Posted on Wed, Mar. 14, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A bill intended to spur competition with cable TV companies won overwhelmingly approval Wednesday in the Missouri House.

The legislation would make it easier for AT&T Inc. and other traditional telephone companies to begin offering television service over their wires.

from: ArsTechnica

Chicago mayor opposes video franchising in Illinois

By Nate Anderson | Published: March 12, 2007

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, an Illinois coalition of local leaders that includes Chicago's powerful Richard Daley, has come out in opposition to a new bill introduced to the Illinois General Assembly that would allow cable and telecommunications companies to bypass the local video franchising process.