1 edit | Cable companies were against but were bought off The cable companies lobbied against this bill, but they got an amendment that gives them statewide franchises too, so their opposition is now over.
In its early efforts to kill the bill, Comcast spent more than $3 million in April, May and June. A large chunk of that was spent on television advertisements, but also for hiring additional lobbyists.
Dennis Mangers, president of the association(California Cable & Telecommunications Association), said he has had to resort to using the help of contract lobbyists for the first time in his 25 years of representing the cable industry in Sacramento.
When the Assembly voted 77-0 on May 31 to approve AB2987, Mangers said, he realized that defeating the bill wasn't realistic. He contacted Núñez's office and offered to support the bill if cable companies can abrogate their existing local franchises and apply for a state license, and also get a seat at the table as the legislation continues to be tweaked.
The bill was eventually amended to allow cable companies to cancel local licenses and gain a state franchise if phone companies begin service in their regions.
That has left only the local governments and consumer groups standing in opposition to the legislation. Game, set, & match.
--
--
Join Red Room Forum
BLOG tkjunkmail.blogspot.com
My Web Page |
RadioDoc58ef2c0Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
1 edit | said by fAcEtIOUs:The bill was eventually amended to allow cable companies to cancel local licenses and gain a state franchise if phone companies begin service in their regions.
That has left only the local governments and consumer groups standing in opposition to the legislation. Game, set, & match. So where is the outcry over Comcast sneaking in the back door? They are in a much better position to run rampant through the countryside thumbing their nose at every municipality they currently do business in today. It'll take AT&T and Verizon years to do as much damage as Comcast can do in a month.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange. |
 owenhomekeeper of the magic blue smokePremium
join:2002-07-13
Bentonville, AR | It's a shame a mind like yours isn't in the thick of this where it could do some good.
--
Never argue with a fool, people might not know the difference. |
