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from: Center for Public Integrity

Strains Showing in Longtime Friendship
Telecom firms have supported Rep. Dingell, and until recently, the incoming House committee chairman has supported them

By Drew Clark

WASHINGTON, November 21, 2006 — Rep. John Dingell greeted the Republican-drafted telecommunications bill, designed to speed the Bell companies' entry into the television marketplace, with sarcasm and cynicism.

Note:Red-Lining Alert!
from: Asbury Park Press

Verizon needs to start producing cable network maps

BY ABIGAIL CAPLOVITZ FIELD

Verizon plans to bring cable competition to 316 New Jersey towns, promising choice, lower prices and better service. Sounds great. Unfortunately, Verizon's cable service application to the state Board of Public Utilities doesn't support its pro-consumer rhetoric. The information to back up its promises is missing.

from: Broadcasting & Cable

Senate Confirms Martin's Renomination
By John Eggerton

The Nomination of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin for another term atop the commission was approved on the Senate floor Thursday night.

There had been a hold on the nomination, generally thought to have been place by Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) over phone-related issues. But it had also been widely expected to be lifted so that he could be approved in the lame-duck session of the still-Republican-controlled Congress.

from: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Creve Coeur deal puts AT&T's foot in Missouri TV door

By Jerri Stroud
11/17/2006

AT&T's video franchise agreement with Creve Coeur puts the company in position to deliver a bundle of telephone, television and high-speed Internet services over its own network for the first time in Missouri.

from: MultiChannel News

Verizon Still in Local Calif. Franchise Talks

By Linda Haugsted 11/16/2006

Despite the fact that implementation of statewide-franchising rules is less than two months away, Verizon Communications is still negotiating local franchising agreements in California.

from: The Hill.Com

Dingell hires former aides

By Jim Snyder

K Street Democrats are popular not just with companies trying to make inroads with the new majority - but with the new majority itself as well.

Lobbyists are expected to help fill the additional staff slots Democrats now have, and the migration has already begun.

from: Technology Daily

Sen. DeMint Pessimistic On Chances For Market-Based Telecom Reform

By Andrew Noyes

(Tuesday, November 14) Chances for market-based communications reform in the Democratic-controlled Congress that convenes in January are "slim to none," Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said.

from: Technology Daily

Video Franchising Bill Moves In Michigan

By Michael Martinez

(Tuesday, November 14) Lawmakers in Michigan advanced a measure to overhaul video-franchising rules, as the state House approved a measure that would allow new entrants to the video market to bypass localities by applying for statewide video franchises.

from: MultiChannel News

Democrats In Charge, but Not Threatening
Telecom Policy Not Likely To Be On Capitol Radar

By Ted Hearn - 11/13/2006

If anything bad happens to the cable industry as a result of the Democratic takeover of Congress, it shouldn’t happen very fast.

Angry about war in Iraq and corruption on Capitol Hill, voters booted House and Senate Republicans from power last Tuesday. The watershed election put Democrats in charge of both chambers for the first time in 12 years.

from: Technology Daily

Dingell's Remarks On Telecom Bill Draw Mixed Reaction From Bells

By David Hatch

(Thursday, November 9) The Bell telecommunications firms had mixed reactions to news that incoming House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., will pursue fresh telecommunications legislation in 2007.