Note: Alas, as in other states, the church folks once against demonstrate their devotion to the public interest merely has a price that can be easily bought. Shame!

from: Pierce County Herald [1]

Cable TV bill supporters getting some divine help

Wheeler News Service
Published Friday, July 27, 2007

AT&T and its hired lobbyists have taken quite a beating lately over the proposed cable deregulation bill. But now, they’re getting some divine intervention.

A group of ministers rallied at the State Capitol Thursday in support of the bill to have the state regulate cable TV instead of local communities.

It would be easier for AT&T and other giants to enter the field, supposedly reducing rates for all of us.

The Rev. Walter Johnson of the Ministerial Alliance Against the Digital Divide says it would save Wisconsinites $400,000 a day. Other ministers say it would especially help poor and minority TV viewers.

Opponents say the cost savings were promised in other states but were not realized and they’re worried losses in consumer protection and local public access programs.

The Rev. James Demus III says he’s seen how other states are doing. And he has “yet to see any of these scary predictions come true.”

The state Assembly has passed the cable act but the measure is stalled in the Senate.