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PA: Eachus proposal would allow consumers to choose their cable TV company
from: PA House.com
Eachus proposal would allow consumers to choose their cable TV company
HARRISBURG, May 11 -- State Rep. Todd Eachus announced the introduction of legislation that would give consumers the power to choose their cable television provider, programming and service level, and protect consumers by providing state oversight of an industry that currently offers customers no independent arbitrators when disputes occur.
WI: Fraud behind state's cable legislation is disgusting
from: Capital Times
Cynthia Laitman: Fraud behind state's cable legislation is disgusting
A letter to the editor
Dear Editor: Today I received a glossy 8x10, full-color card in the mail from "TV4us." Emblazoned across a background photo of $100 bills were the words "You can help Wisconsin Families Save Millions on Their Cable Bills."
OH: SB 117 cruises through Senate; 11 of 12 Democrats vote to legalize digital redlining
from: Callahan’s Cleveland Diary
SB 117 cruises through Senate; 11 of 12 Democrats vote to legalize digital redlining
Less than 24 hours after its approval by the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, Senate Bill 117 was passed by the full Ohio Senate 29 to 4.
The vote Wednesday afternoon was powerful testimony to the raw political power of AT&T, and to the total disregard of Senators of both parties for local home rule, democratic access to technology, consumer protection or rational analysis — at least where AT&T’s money is concerned.
OH: SB 117: An email to my State Representative
from: Callahan’s Cleveland Diary
SB 117: An email to my State Representative
From an email I sent this morning to my State Representative, Eugene Miller (D-10). Feel free to plagiarize if you’re so inclined:
OH: Don’t mess up cable TV
from: Times Reporter
Don’t mess up cable TV
The Ohio Senate approved a bill this week that would radically alter the way cable companies operate in Ohio.
Senate Bill 117 would create a state franchising system for cable systems and end local agreements with individual companies.
This bill is the brain-child of A.T.&T., which wants to get into the cable business. The telecommunications giant doesn’t want to have to negotiate with scores of municipalities to enter the business, so it has been pushing similar measures in other states as well. To promote the bill in Ohio, it hired an army of lobbyists to swarm over Columbus.
PA: Bill seeks to empower cable customers
from: Philadelphia Business Journal
Pa. bill seeks to empower cable customers
Friday, May 11, 2007
by Athena D. Merritt
Consumer choice and protection are at the heart of a bill introduced on Friday that targets Pennsylvania's cable industry.
The bill, introduced by state Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, would create a statewide cable TV franchise law and give oversight of the industry to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Several states, including New Jersey, New York, Maryland and California currently have legislation that would create bodies with similar oversight, Eachus said.
FL: Cable Bill Has Too Many Flaws
from: Ocala Star-Banner
Home : News :
Florida Cable Bill Has Too Many Flaws
May 11, 2007
We never cease to be amazed by the willingness of Republicans in the Florida Legislature to talk “less government” and “smaller government” while they amass power for themselves and state agencies in Tallahassee, and shovel their responsibilities, and much of the costs thereof, onto local governments.
OH: Lawmakers Seek to End Local Franchise Agreements
from: Times-Reporter
Lawmakers Seek to End Local Franchise Agreements in Ohio
May 11, 2007
By Paul E. Kostyu
Cable television bills could go down if backers of legislation passed in the Ohio Senate are right. If they’re wrong – expect to pay more or not be able to get service at all.
Senate Bill 117, which overwhelmingly passed this week, creates a state franchising system for cable systems and ends local agreements with individual companies. It’s a fundamental change in how cable companies operate in Ohio.
CO: video franchise fight reveals true goal
from: Eldo Telecom
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Colorado video franchise fight reveals true goal of provider "competition," Comcast's hypocrisy
Here's an interesting story from the Rocky Mountain News that illustrates what the real competition between cable companies and telcos is all about. It's not about which can capture the most customers in a given market -- the traditional measure of market competition -- but rather who can force the other guy to provide service to everyone in a given local government jurisdiction.
WI: Do the right cable reform
from: Madison.com
Editorial: Do the right cable reform
An editorial
May 9, 2007
The state Senate's decision to slow down deliberations on a proposal to put state government in the business of licensing cable television systems is appropriate and necessary.
