from: Mid Hudson News [1]

Municipal leaders fear loss of cable TV revenues

Poughkeepsie – Town supervisors and village mayors are concerned about possible legislation in Albany that could result in a loss of cable TV franchise fees to the municipalities.

LaGrange Supervisor Jon Wagner is the new president of the Dutchess County Supervisors and Mayors Association, and he said the local officials are concerned about the potential loss of funds.

“The revenue from cable franchises fees is relied upon in virtually every town, and the supervisors were unanimous and we are going to be writing, as a group, our state legislators, expressing that opinion to them that we do not want to see any legislation that would reduce or make those franchise fees go away.”

Wagner said the local officials are concerned about the dwindling population of volunteer firefighters and EMS workers, which he said is taking its toll on local budgets.