Franchise Bills Dominate State Debates

FRANCHISE BILLS DOMINATE STATE DEBATES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Haugsted]
For the second consecutive year, franchise-reform bills continue to nearly monopolize the time and lobbying muscle of the state cable trade associations. But a few of those groups are also trying to be proactive, addressing such problems as the soaring pole-attachment rates charged by in-state telephone providers.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6437693.html

FLORIDA SENATE PASSES FRANCHISE BILL
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Haugsted]
The Florida state Senate approved a statewide franchising bill, but not before stripping it of an amendment added in committee that would have required new entrants such as telephone companies to pass 50% of the low-income homes in their video-service areas within three years. The bill, SB998, approved April 27, now gives authority to the state's Attorney General to investigate charges that a provider discriminated against potential consumers based on economic factors.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6437970.html