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from: Press & Guide Newspapers

Cable bill sails in legislature
Despite opposition from mayors

By Cristen Kis

PUBLISHED: November 22, 2006

DEARBORN/DEARBORN HEIGHTS - Customers with cable subscriptions through Comcast or WOW! may soon have another choice — AT&T. But that additional option could come with a multi-million dollar price tag for local governments.

from: Technology Daily

Video Franchising Bill Moves In Michigan

By Michael Martinez

(Tuesday, November 14) Lawmakers in Michigan advanced a measure to overhaul video-franchising rules, as the state House approved a measure that would allow new entrants to the video market to bypass localities by applying for statewide video franchises.

From: Michigan Municipal League

Issue Advisory

SUCCESS! LOCAL OFFICIALS STOP CABLE FRANCHISE VOTE
September 21, 2006

To: Mayor/President, City Manager, City Commission & Cable Commission:

Issue:
In a huge victory, local officials stopped a full House vote on HB 6456, sponsored by Rep. Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) early Thursday morning. After hundreds of phone calls and letters by local leaders, the legislature decided to wait until after the November election to continue discussions on this bill. Local officials were going head-to-head with big phone companies (AT&T and Verizon) and big cable companies (Comcast and Charter).

If you are located in Michigan, you should call your State House Representatives today and tell them to support the positions of the Michigan Municipal League on Bill HB 6456.

from: The Michigan Municipal League

State & Federal Affairs Division
Action Alert

Urgent Message on Telecommunications Legislation:
Your Calls Are Needed on Amendments!!!

House Committee Expected to Vote on HB 6456 this Morning, Entire House May Vote Later Today

Big trouble in Michigan - read the state franchise bill here

from: Grand Rapids Press

Cable bills could darken public access channels

Note; You can download the complete ACLU Complaint at < http://efile.mpsc.cis.state.mi.us/efile/docs/14985/0001.pdf

from: Detroit news

ACLU battles AT&T, Verizon

Gregg Krupa / The Detroit News

frpm: Beacon news

Cities and AT&T begin negotiation

• Model ordinance: Mayor's Conference seeks accord for all towns in region

By Steve Lord
staff writer

The Metropolitan Mayor's Conference has begun negotiating with AT&T so the company can introduce its Internet-based video services in Chicago-area municipalities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joe Fivas – MML
Monday, May 8, 2006 (517) 485-1314
Dave Bertram – MTA
(517) 321-6467

Michigan communities to AT&T: Can you hear us now?

Phone giant fails to respond to more than 600 invitations and resolutions throughout state asking AT&T to sign local franchise agreements and compete for cable TV customers.

AT&T and Verizon have been pushing for state-wide franchises as well as the national legislation in the House and Senate.
from: Detroit News

AT&T chief: Untangle local TV franchise rules
Company making plans to deliver Internet-based television to state residents
Sharon Terlep / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- AT&T Inc. Chairman and CEO Edward E. Whitacre Jr. said Monday that Michigan should revamp cable television franchise rules that stand in the way of AT&T's plan to deliver Internet-based TV to state residents.

May 1, 2006

AARP Joins MML and MTA in fight against Cable Franchise Legislation

To: Mayor/President, City Manager, Finance Director & Cable Commission:

The American Association of Retired Persons, (AARP) of Michigan has joined the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Townships Association to help in the fight against the state issued cable franchise legislation being pushed by AT&T and other big phone companies.