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from: Broadband Reports

Locals Fight AT&T Franchise Push in Illinois
State versus local control...

Posted 2007-03-19 09:26:08 by Karl

We've discussed at length the battles between AT&T and local towns in Illinois who've been annoyed at AT&T's refusal to adhere to the local franchise system as they deploy IPTV. Some towns have been annoyed by the placement of large AT&T VDSL cabinets, some are concerned primarily about revenue and others don't like that AT&T will be ignoring build-out requirements (see our interview with Peter Collins, Geneva, IL, IT chief).

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Rebuff cable legislation
By BY BOB CHERNOW
Posted: March 18, 2007

What happens when a powerful utility like AT&T wants its way? It joins forces with competitors and uses lobbyists to change the rules of the game. That is what is happening to cable and video in the Legislature.

from: Callahan's Cleveland Diary

Telco bill to end local cable franchising shows up in General Assembly

When this was passed by Michigan’s Republican legislature and signed by Governor Granholm, a Democrat, in December, I wrote: “The Michigan law is very likely to provide the template for similar legislation in the Ohio General Assembly early next year.”

from: Blandin on Broadband

Statewide Cable Franchising Committee Meeting

I was wrestling socks on my two year old. I turned on the TV to distract her – and what came on? The live committee meeting for the statewide cable franchise proposal! It didn’t distract her but I got out paper and a pen to take the best notes I could. (Remember, I still had the two year old.) I have wrriten them up as best I could. It’s long but hopefully helpful.

Note: Video Access Alliance is a well known astroturf organization receiving funding from telephone companies for their activities. VAA doesn't represent public interest concerns on video franchise issues, they merely present the telco positions.

from: Pine Hill News

Video Access Alliance

from: Lakeland Highlights

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
ATT Cable Bill-Oppose it!

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners adopted a Resolution urging Tennessee State Representatives and Senators to oppose the ATT Cable bill and I urge Lakeland residents (and any Tennessee citizen) to insist that this bill be defeated! I have enclosed a copy of the Resolution.

from: News-Leader

Bill likely to alter cable services in Springfield

News-Leader Staff and Wire Services

Jefferson City — Legislators gave final approval Thursday to legislation intended to spur video competition by making it easier for telecommunications companies such as AT&T to offer television service in Missouri.

Missourian News

Cable bill switches control of TV from city to state
Governor’s approval expected for bill that gives more cable access to companies

By CLIFF AINSWORTH
March 16, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY — A bill that landed on Gov. Matt Blunt’s desk Thursday could drastically alter the way cable television service is offered to Missourians.

from: The Daily Times

Alcoa hangs up on AT&T: City officials oppose company's video franchise bill

By Mark Boxley
of The Daily Times Staff

Had it been a movie, the audience would have seen a couple guys standing toe to toe Tuesday. And after a few minutes of sizing each other up, the shorter of the two would have taken off his glove and used it to smack the other square in the face.

from: Black Agenda Report

March 14, 2007

Black on Black Political Crime
Black Lawmakers Digitally Redline African-Americans

By BRUCE DIXON

Last year big cable and bigger telephone companies deployed platoons of lobbyists and up to a hundred million dollars in an attempt to enact national cable franchise legislation. They greased its way through the House of Representatives, proving along the way that willful ignorance and lots of corporate cash could make two thirds of the Congressional Black Caucus vote for the digital broadband redlining of their own communities. The power play of big phone and the cable guys stalled in the US Senate, thanks to a national grassroots campaign campaign spearheaded by Free Press, a national not-for-profit media reform group.