state legislation

Media Minutes: February 10, 2012

Candace Clement — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:12:12 -0500

Political wrangling is holding Super Wi-Fi spectrum hostage. The House has tacked on amendments to its payroll tax bill that spell big trouble for the FCC and spectrum use. And a new bill in the Illinois legislature would allow people to record on-duty police in public without permission.

AT&T Politicians Take Aim at Wisconsin Broadband Funds

Stevie Converse — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:43:29 -0400

Full article: Broadband Reports
Karl Bode
Proposed legislation in Wisconsin to give back federal broadband infrastructure funding would wrench away $37 million in support for broadband buildout across the state. State politicians call it fiscal responsibility. But it's actually simple protectionism at AT&T's behest to continue its domination with an overpriced and underpowered service called Badgernet.

UW System Broadband Expansion Plan in Danger

Stevie Converse — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:39:13 -0400

Full article: Wisconsin State Journal
Deborah Ziff
The University of Wisconsin System would be forced to return about $37 million in federal funds intended to extend broadband Internet across Wisconsin, under a provision passed by the Legislature's budget committee. The legislation would also prohibit UW System campuses from supporting WiscNet, a cooperative that brings high-speed Internet to most schools and libraries across the state.

Building an Equity and Justice Movement for the Internet, Mobile Phones and Future Networks

Stevie Converse — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:17:08 -0400

Full article: Consumers Union and the Center for Media Justice
In September 2010, 15 leaders from organizations around the United States met for the fifth annual Knowledge Exchange. A summary of goals, policies, strategies and best practices by and for groups working for Internet policies that ensure opportunity, democracy and equity for all has been published by the hosts of the Exchange.

North Carolina Cities Mobilize Against Anti-Muni Broadband Bill

Stevie Converse — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:29:18 -0400

Full article: Ars Technica
Matthew Lasar
At least six cities in North Carolina have passed resolutions against cable-backed state legislation that would hamstring new municipal broadband projects. All oppose House of Representatives Bill H129 and its equivalent in the Senate, Bill 87. The proposed laws would bar new municipal ISPs from selling broadband to consumers in neighboring cities or pricing their services too low. The legislation has passed in the House.

More Broken Promises: Reps. Howard & Avila Renege and End Negotiations With North Carolina Cities

Stevie Converse — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:19:19 -0500

Full article: Stop the Cap!
Phillip Dampier
Despite promises to protect North Carolina’s existing community-owned broadband providers, Reps. Julia "My Word is My Bond" Howard and Marilyn "I Do What Time Warner Tells Me" Avila have reneged and intend to ram through their anti-community-broadband bulldozer bill. Asheville and Rockingham County have joined the city of Raleigh issuing resolutions opposing H129 and are openly wondering why state legislators are so contemptuously overruling the interests of North Carolina communities for the benefit of out-of-state corporations.

Asheville Opposes Rep Avila's Attempt to Enshrine Time Warner Cable Monopoly

Stevie Converse — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:38:57 -0500

Full article: Community Broadband News
In response to N.C. State Rep. Marilyn Avila's championing of a Time Warner power grab for broadband services, the city of Asheville has passed a resolution against the bill. Avila's own city of Raleigh has also opposed the bill.

Wisconsin, in Cozy Relationship to AT&T, Becomes First State to Give Back Broadband Stimulus

Stevie Converse — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:03:04 -0500

Full article: Broadband Reports
Karl Bode
AT&T's cozy relationship with Wisconsin lawmakers is on full display with the legislature's decision to give back $23 million in federal broadband stimulus funding awards intended for broadband expansion. Lawmakers complained there were "too many strings attached" to the stimulus funding. What the local paper isn't saying is that the new federal funding likely would have opened AT&T's agreement with the state to new federal regulatory scrutiny and put a very large AT&T cash cow at risk.

Cable Competition Falls Short

Stevie Converse — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:57:38 -0400

Full article: Detroit Free Press
Three years ago, AT&T said its video franchise regulation that was adopted by state legislators would change Michigan's video landscape, bringing cable customers lower rates and improved service. But higher prices and cherry-picked service areas tell the real story -- the state can, and should, do better for consumers.

Verizon Presses for Video Franchising Bill in Massachusetts

Stevie Converse — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:42:49 -0400

Full article: Springfield Republican
Stan Freeman
Verizon is pushing for passage of a video franchise bill in the Mass. legislature. However, many say the bill is problematic. The bill does not consider the government workings of small communities, significantly lowers funding for local access programming and equipment and chips away at the authority of municipalities to grant franchises.