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from: MultiChannel News

Fla. Senate Amends Franchise-Reform Bill
Low-Income Homes Protected with Build-Out Guidelines

By Linda Haugsted 3/26/2007 5:48:00 PM

A telephone-company-friendly franchise-reform bill passed late last week by the Florida House of Representatives was amended in a Senate committee to require penetration into one-half of the low-income homes passed by a new provider.

Note: This is just a small example of the political weight a 260 billion dollar company can throw around in a state legislature. Texas set the standard in 2005 when AT&T and Verizon had one lobbyist for each state legislator. This isn't so much politics as a corporate takeover.

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

from: Bradenton Herald

Debate over state cable bill intensifies

BY JIM WYSS
jwyss@MiamiHerald.com
Posted on Sun, Mar. 25, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - One of the most watched dramas unfolding here isn't on TV -- it's over TV. For the second year running, telecommunications and cable representatives have descended on the state Capitol to battle over The Consumer Choice Act, a bill that rewrites the rules that govern entry into the cable television market.

from: Peoria Chronicle

Almost a year later, and still no cable franchise agreement

Cable TVOn April 15, 2006, Peoria’s 20-year cable franchise agreement with Insight Communications expired. As of today, we still have no cable franchise agreement, but City Attorney Randy Ray is hopeful that we will soon. In an e-mail I received in response to my question on how negotiations were going, he said this:

from: Journal Times

News from around Wisconsin
Sun Mar 25, 2007

MADISON, Wis. (AP) _ A state bill would decrease the amount of money local governments receive from cable providers but would benefit consumers by increasing competition and driving down overall fees, according to AT&T lobbyists who are aggressively pushing the measure.

Message: Earth to Sen. Bill Ketron - you are dreaming and living inside an AT&T advertisement - please wake up!

from: The Murfreesboro Post

Competitive cable bill drawing some fire
By ERIN EDGEMON Business Editor

Legislation drafted to create competition in the cable industry won't hurt municipalities; it will lower customers’ monthly bill, said the bill's co-sponsor.

from: Sioux City Journal

Qwest views TV future in Iowa
By Dave Dreeszen Journal business editor

Legislation that cleared the Iowa Senate last week could pull the plug on Sioux City's cable television monopoly in Sioux City.

The bill would establish statewide cable franchises, making it easier for Qwest Communications and other local phone companies to also offer video services in markets like Sioux City, where Cable One is now the sole cable provider.

from: The Buffalo News

BUFFALO’S BUSINESS
Powers jostle over Verizon TV service
David Robinson
Updated: 03/25/07 8:25 AM

Last spring, Verizon started laying the fiber-optic cables to homes in Hamburg, Orchard Park and West Seneca that not only can carry faster Internet traffic but also cable television.

From: The Gazette

Note: Qwest pins it's hopes on the FCC video franchise ruling

Qwest Holds Off on State Cable

March 22, 2007
By Wayne Heilman

Qwest Communications International Inc. has halted any further talks in Colorado about cable television franchises until new federal rules are enacted.

from: Dayton Daily News

Bill 117 would have drastic effects on cable competition, public access

By Jim DeBrosse

Staff Writer

Sunday, March 25, 2007

COLUMBUS — Consumer groups call it "cherry-picking" or "redlining" — allowing cable and phone companies to target affluent, densely populated areas for the latest in computer and video services while ignoring minorities, the poor and rural areas.