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from: The Tennessean

AT&T bill clears first hurdle in House

By NAOMI SNYDER
Staff Writer
March 5, 2008

Rep. Charles Curtiss, D-Sparta, who complained he was "left standing at the altar" by AT&T during the last legislative session, was able to get his alternative AT&T bill passed through state House subcommittee Tuesday.

AT&T has been pushing the legislature to get a statewide franchise to offer video services in Tennessee, not wanting to go to individual counties to negotiate separate franchise agreements, as the law now requires.

The cable industry and municipal governments have been opposed and they are in the midst of negotiations with AT&T to iron out a new bill.

AT&T not enthusiastic

AT&T hasn't greeted Curtiss' alternative bill with any enthusiasm. It would set up a state authority made up of municipal and county governments to grant state video franchises, which is more say-so from local governments than AT&T wants.

The company ditched its efforts to get a bill passed soon after Curtiss introduced the measure last year.

Curtiss' bill passed 6-2 in the House Utilities Banking and Small Business subcommittee. It will go next to the House Commerce Committee.

Regardless of what passes, it will be up to AT&T whether they want to sell video services in Tennessee.