Save Access

from: The Free Press

Oppose SB 177

April 24, 2007

The Ohio Community Computing Network encourages you to oppose Ohio Senate Bill 117 (see below). This bill would eliminate local franchising for video services. There are many ramifications to the passage of this bill including: elimination of PEG access channels (we provide telecourses and share guest speakers on Educational Access), disincentives to build broadband in rural and low-income areas (effecting our ability to serve these areas), removal of local consumer protection (no service requirements, support of community networks, etc.), removal of local control of rights of way (ATT can put a big ugly switcher station on your tree lawn), loss of local revenue, perhaps a quarter million dollars annually in Columbus (pick the City service you want to see cut)

from: The Plain Dealer

Lawmakers beat partial retreat on statewide video franchising

Posted by Aaron Marshall April 24, 2007 18:34PM
Categories: Breaking News

After getting an earful from local mayors as well as the public access crowd, state lawmakers retreated Tuesday on several of the more controversial elements of a bill setting up a statewide franchising agreement for video service providers.

from: Madison.com

Cable TV bill appears headed for passage
But vote will be postponed for fiscal impact study

Judith Davidoff
The Capital Times

Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, says there would be enough votes in the Senate to pass a controversial cable bill today, but she is going to postpone a vote until questions about its fiscal impact are resolved.

from: The Massachusetts Curmudgeon

Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Verizon is Scum

Verizon has been hard at work in Massachusetts finding new ways to screw over this state's residents. First off I notice that my phone bill has gone up by $2 for the last month. I check and find out that they now have no long distance plans that don't have a minimum fee. My wife and I never use Verizon long distance, so we get wacked a 2$ monthly fee because we don't use it. I want to find a business where I can send people a $2 bill for not using me. By the way if you are looking for this weasal fee, it's listed as a "shortfall charge" in the Verizon long distance portion of your bill. Currently I have phone and dsl service through them, but underhanded moves like this have me considering pulling out my landline all together and getting my internet through the cable company.

April 24, 2006

Houston Public Access TV To Get The Axe Next Year
by Stefan Wray

Houston, TX -- Fred Fichman, Executive Director of Houston Media Source -- the public access TV station in Houston -- said today that he met with the Mayor's Deputy Chief of Staff, and other City officials in Houston, who verified that as of April 2008 there will be a major reduction in funding for both the public and government access TV channels.

from Mary Cardona, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of Public Access Centers
www.wapconline.com

Goodbye West Allis Community Media Center

Monday, April 23, 2007

As a result of a vote in the Assembly this Tuesday and a vote in the Senate swiftly to follow, West Allis Community Media Center (WACMC) will likely be closing its doors. One of the largest jewels of public access television in the whole nation will be silenced after 25 years when the Wisconsin legislature votes for the Video Competition Act (SB 107), as currently amended.

from: Journal Group

AT&T ‘comes calling’ in community

Scott Spielman
Editor
April 19, 2007

Officials in the City of Wayne may not have long to wait to find out how the new state-wide cable legislation works.

Telecommunications giant AT&T wants to provide new high-speed video service in area communities through 2017.

from: Badger Herald

Decision coming for franchise bill

by Keegan Kyle
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

City officials across Wisconsin will watch the state Legislature closely this morning as it may pass a bill that would reshape the distribution of revenue-sharing agreements with cable, satellite and other broadcasters.

from: Miami Herald

Phone-cable bill is on the line
What began as a consumer-friendly proposal tacked to the cable-video franchising bill to keep basic local phone rates from rising could ultimately end up sinking the legislation.

BY MONICA HATCHER
mhatcher@MiamiHerald.com

TALLAHASSEE
After the Consumer Choice Act failed to pass the Legislature last year, local phone companies hoping to break into the cable-television business figured they'd improve the cable-franchise bill's chances this year by throwing in a bonus for consumers.

from: Ocala.com

Cable fight now 3-way free-for-all
Telephone, cable firms go on lobbying blitz

BY LLOYD DUNKELBERGER
STAR-BANNER TALLAHASSEE BUREAU
TALLAHASSEE - Cable companies are using the television airwaves to lobby against a bill that would make it easy for phone companies to compete in the cable market.