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Massachusetts Video Franchise Bill Faces Delay

From Multichannel News, June 11, 2007
By Linda Haugsted

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.

House committee version of SB 117 preserves local video franchising for most Ohio communities

Source: http://www.callahansclevelanddiary.com/?p=284

Well, you just never know, do you?

The House Public Utilities Committee unanimously approved a heavily amended version of Substitute Senate Bill 117 yesterday evening, after a full afternoon of closed-door caucuses. Evidently the weeks of lobbying by cities, public access and consumer groups were worth the effort, because the Committee sent the full House a much more reasonable bill than it received from the Senate.

from: Light Reading

State Video Franchise Push Grows
JUNE 11, 2007

Ah, the video franchise. Obtaining it is one of the final steps a carrier must take in order to provide television service to a community. Getting one is an arduous task that can take up to two years to complete for each community and has become a big thorn in the side of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T - message board) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ - message board) as they deploy their new TV services.

from: Callahan's Diary

Foley pushes SB 117 amendments to prevent digital abandonment, create state broadband partnership

I mentioned the other day that there are a few dozen amendments proposed for Senate Bill 117, the state video/broadband franchising bill, as it nears final House markup… possibly as soon as next Tuesday.

from: FoxCity HD

HD Rants: Statewide cable franchising flops in Texas. Worried yet?

According to a survey by the Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, as told in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, multichannel TV service rates have actually increased rather than decreased as promised by supporters of statewide deregulation. Texas was the first state to adopt statewide TV service franchising similar to that proposed by legislators and heavily backed by AT&T in Wisconsin. The Texas Public Utility Commission fields consumer complaints but has no staff to follow through on them, leaving customers to deal with the service providers directly.

from: Daily Southtown

Feud better not sabotage cable television bill

June 11, 2007

The issue: The Illinois House has approved a bill that makes major changes in the cable TV industry in the state. The bill's future in the Senate is hazy because of a reported feud between lawmakers.

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: