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from: Orlando Sentinel

Veto in order
Our position: The measure to increase competition in the cable TV market is flawed.

Posted May 17, 2007

The best thing you can say about the push to increase competition in the cable-television market in Florida is that the folks who came up with the title "Consumer Choice Act of 2007" have a sense of humor.

from: Miami Herald

THE LEGISLATURE
BellSouth rings up a $1 million bill for lobbying

The price tag for lobbying in the state Capitol is at least $26 million this year -- and could approach $70 million -- as BellSouth leads the way with a million-dollar effort.

BY MARC CAPUTO AND GARY FINEOUT
mcaputo@MiamiHerald.com

from: St Petersburg Times

Justice Department backs cable change
It says lower rates, better service are possible.

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published May 17, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - The lobbying remains intense on both sides of a bill to let phone companies largely bypass local regulation to offer video programming to Florida consumers.

from: Tampa Tribune

Cable Legislation Shafts Consumers

May 15, 2007
By Michael Sittig

For the past two years, the telecommunications industry has stated that local government regulations have prevented them from providing a competitive alternative to “monopolistic” cable franchises.

from: St. Petersburg Times

Florida Cable Bill: Viewer Discretion Advised

May 15, 2007
By Howard Troxler

My favorite part of the big cable TV bill just passed by our Legislature is that it transfers complaints about poor service to Tallahassee.

Yep. I can just see the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the agency assigned to this task, swinging into action.

from: The Ledger

Television Bill Merits Crist’s Veto

May 15, 2007

Finally, the Florida Legislature had no problem agreeing on something: In overwhelming votes (117-1 in the House, 30-3 in the Senate), lawmakers voted to allow telephone companies to enter into local cable-television markets.

from: TC Palm

Robert Minksy: Cable TV one example: State usurping local revenue

By ROBERT MINKSY
columnist
May 15, 2007

I don't know how many people noticed a little article in the paper the other day regarding cable franchise, but it is an issue that warrants the public's attention.

from: Ocala Star-Banner
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Florida Cable Bill Has Too Many Flaws

May 11, 2007

We never cease to be amazed by the willingness of Republicans in the Florida Legislature to talk “less government” and “smaller government” while they amass power for themselves and state agencies in Tallahassee, and shovel their responsibilities, and much of the costs thereof, onto local governments.

from: Orlando Sentinel

Critics urge cable-bill veto

Posted May 10, 2007

TALLAHASSEE -- It's called the Consumer Choice Act of 2007, but consumer activists have joined city officials from across Florida in urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto the legislation that's designed to increase cable-television competition and lower rates.

from: News-Press

State Primed to Take Over Control of Cable TV in Florida

May 9, 2007

Cable television subscribers who have been able to rely on their local governments to regulate service, may soon be calling Tallahassee for help.

A bill that was passed by the Florida House and Senate late last week would take control away from local governments and turn it over to the state. Supporters believe it will help increase competition among television, telephone and Internet companies. That could lead to reduced customer rates.