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from: Multichannel News

L.A. Joins Suit Against Franchise Rules
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 6/11/2007

The city of Los Angeles has become the latest jurisdiction to join the suit challenging the Federal Communications Commission's March 5 order that localities must approve franchise applications from new competitors within 90 days.

from: MultiChannel News

Connecticut Legislators Approve Franchise-Reform Bill

AT&T’s U-verse TV Would Face New Regulations if Passed

By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 6/8/2007

Connecticut legislators, on the last night of their session June 6, approved a franchise-reform bill that will subject AT&T's U-verse TV product to some regulation.

from: MultiChannel News

Massachusetts Bill Faces Delay

By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 6/11/2007

A vote on a bill that would reform cable franchising in Massachusetts, much criticized by local officials, may be headed for a 90-day delay.

The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Steven Panagiotakos (D-Lowell) has recommended that a task force study the measure, which would move franchising authority to the state’s Department of Telecommunications and Energy. He began publicly suggesting the bill needed more work even before a June 5 hearing on the Verizon Communications Inc.-backed bill before the Joint Committee on Utilities, Telecommunications and Energy.

from: Chicago Tribune

Originally posted: June 8, 2007
Glory be…

The Chicago Tribune Cable/AT&T editorial of Tuesday, June 5 ("The Illinois model") stating:

"…Glory be, the bill that sailed through the Illinois House 113-0 Friday is that rare legislative accomplishment: It ushers in competition, protects consumers and is fair to both phone and cable companies."

from: Waxing America

June 08, 2007

Mayor Dave Calls AT&T Boxes "Graffiti Magnets" and Joe Wineke Jumps Off the AT&T Gravy Train

Judith Davidoff has the story in today's Capital Times about Madison's unwillingness to allow AT&T free reign to plant its big video boxes all over the public rights-of-way:

from: The Capital Times

AT&T boxes big and ugly, mayor warns

Judith Davidoff — 6/08/2007 10:47 am

More than 300 hulking, refrigerator-size "graffiti magnets" could soon sprout in Madison yards if state lawmakers pass a controversial cable TV deregulation bill, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is warning.

"There would be hundreds of these boxes throughout the city," Cieslewicz said in an interview this week. "They would be on the street right-of-way and also in people's backyards. They are large -- five feet by four feet -- they make a visual statement and they could be graffiti magnets."

Astroturf Alert! Freedom Works is a sleezy front for free market conservative politics and is on the telco payroll. They cite cable increses that everyone knows were the result of Congressional deregulation in the 96 Telecom Act (passed by a Republican Congress). Now they want even greater deregulation. The two year old state franchise in Texas has already resulted in higher cable rates.

Dear Friends,

All the good work that you have put forth on SB 117 may be being undone as we speak in the halls of the Columbus Statehouse.

Note: In spite of increasing media consolidation, thankfully, there will be more 'competition' to 'lower prices'. It seems the cable and telco industry business offices are out of step with their PR offices. We wonder if any state legislators are paying attention . . .

from: NY Post

from: Boston Globe

Verizon seems to flip-flop on local video approvals
Firm tells investors need to get local OK's not hurting TV rollout

By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe Staff | June 5, 2007