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from: Herald Tribune

Cable debate down to wire
By LLOYD DUNKELBERGER

H-T CAPITAL 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.

Phone companies are using their own high-priced lobbying campaign to promote the legislation.

from: The Ledger

Phone, Cable TV Giants Battle

By Lloyd Dunkelberger
Ledger Tallahassee Bureau
Sunday, April 22, 2007

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.

from: Herald Tribune

Cable bill could mean a windfall for Verizon

Debate over the legislation is one of the most intense of the session.
By DEVONA WALKER

The consumer broadband choice bill winding its way through the Florida Legislature could save telephone-company-

from: Gainseville.com

Cable, phone companies spar over regulatory system

LLOYD DUNKELBERGER

Sun Tallahassee Bureau
April 21. 2007 6:01AM

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.

from: Bradenton Herald

Cable franchise bill moves forward

By LYNDSEY LEWIS
Herald Staff Writer

TALLAHASSEE --
Snubbing the lobbyists who showed for the battle, a panel of state lawmakers Wednesday approved a drive to put cable TV franchising in the state's hands.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, would also mean statewide franchising rights for phone companies.

from: Daytona Beach News Journal

Consumers Lose if State Takes Cable TV Control

April 16, 2007
By Carl Laundrie

Under the battle cry of creating a more competitive market, state legislators are considering a bill that would transfer the regulation of cable TV franchise agreements from local government, to the state.

Note: TV4US is a notorious astroturf organization paid for by the telephone companies to build support for telco legislation.

from: Tampa Bay 10

Supporters of bill to create more competition for cable TV reveal plan

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Supporters of a bill that would make it easier for telephone companies to offer video services to Floridians distributed thousands of petitions in support of the plan to state lawmakers today.

from: Tallahassee.com

Bill would close loopholes for cable competition

By Walter Dartland
Originally published April 14, 2007

As consumer issues go, bringing competition and choice to cable is a goal that has been long in coming. Across the board, consumer groups have fought for years to give cable customers additional options. Unfortunately, the telecom industry has marshaled its considerable resources to hijack our hard work on cable choice to force through anti-consumer legislation under the false mantle of competition.

from: Tallahassee.com

Sunday My View: Cable franchise laws and the public interest

By Andy Opel
Originally published April 14, 2007

As the Florida Legislature is considering significant changes to the laws that govern cable TV, broadband Internet and other emerging digital media technologies, a review of what is at stake may help us understand this technology puzzle.

from: Orlando Sentinel

OTHER VIEWS MY WORD

NAACP chief: Beware telecom bill that could hurt poor neighborhoods

Randolph Bracy Jr.
April 13, 2007

I am puzzled by legislation coming through the Legislature that major telephone companies are pushing to bring cable-television services into our neighborhoods. From where I sit, members of the Legislature should be looking under the hood and kicking the tires, for if they do, they would find that this legislation represents a step forward and two steps back.