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from: MultiChannel News

Missouri Gov. Expected to Sign Franchise Bill

From Multichannel News, March 22, 2007
By Linda Haugsted

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt is expected to sign a bill that will assign video franchising authority to the state’s Public Service Commission.

The language of the bill was negotiated between the state’s Municipal League, potential new provider AT&T and incumbent cable operators. However, three provisions that the incumbents sought to add to the bill were cut from the final version, which was overwhelmingly approved by the state Senate (32-2) and House (143-4).

Cable companies argued that the new legislation should require state-based fees on direct-broadcast satellite service. That would equalize the tax burden to customers of cable, Internet-protocol television and DBS, the companies argued.

Also, companies lobbied for non-severability language. If one part of the new regulation is struck down by the courts or through a ruling by the Federal Communications Commission, the whole bill should become void.