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Public Works, Energy & Utilities Cable franchise bills sent to study
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy has sent to study two bills that would have curtailed local cable franchising authority, effectively eliminating any chance of their passage.
Under legislative rules, committees had until March 17 to report out bills.
The MMA and local officials voiced strong opposition to the cable bills (S. 1531 and H. 3765), which were being pushed by Verizon Communications.
Verizon’s previous legislative effort, an attempt to preempt local franchising altogether, was met with a similar fate last session.
The MMA will continue to oppose industry efforts to alter the current franchising process, since it has yet to be demonstrated that the process is broken. To date, well over 100 franchises have been granted in nearly all the communities in which Verizon has applied. Verizon has yet to be turned down by a single Massachusetts community.
Verizon has also declined offers to negotiate expeditiously with many of the nearly 50 cities and towns that signed a letter nearly three years ago inviting them to provide services in their communities.
Public Works, Energy & Utilities Cable franchise bills sent to study
Cable franchise bills sent to study
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy has sent to study two bills that would have curtailed local cable franchising authority, effectively eliminating any chance of their passage.
Under legislative rules, committees had until March 17 to report out bills.
The MMA and local officials voiced strong opposition to the cable bills (S. 1531 and H. 3765), which were being pushed by Verizon Communications.
Verizon’s previous legislative effort, an attempt to preempt local franchising altogether, was met with a similar fate last session.
The MMA will continue to oppose industry efforts to alter the current franchising process, since it has yet to be demonstrated that the process is broken. To date, well over 100 franchises have been granted in nearly all the communities in which Verizon has applied. Verizon has yet to be turned down by a single Massachusetts community.
Verizon has also declined offers to negotiate expeditiously with many of the nearly 50 cities and towns that signed a letter nearly three years ago inviting them to provide services in their communities.
