Agenda Packets - 1983/07/18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I[n O z1afez zeira{e WASHING, ON. D.C. 20510 Dear Mayor: 10n June 14 the Senate gave its overwhelming approval to S. 66, the Cable Telecommunications Act of 1983, by a vote of 87-9. As one who voted for S. 66 as the best feasible program for local govern- ments, I am happy to say that significant improvements were made to the bill during its consideration on the Senate floor. S. 66 gives the Federal Communications Commission exclusive jurisdiction over cable telecommunications, preempting Stati-and local authority to freely negotiate cable franchise agreements and `regulate cable rates. The legislation is designed to create a national policy framework for the development of this new medium primarily by removing areas of uncertainty for would-be cable investors. iThe;bill provides fora process of !franchise renewal: similar to that' governing television broadcasters; and in the event renewal is not granted, it requires that the operator be paid the fair market value 'of the system; S. 66 also deregulates cable services, a move intended a ^ to allow cable operators to comnete. effectively with other tele- communications media. In one of the more controversial aspects of the bill, franchise authorities will be prohibited from specifying' cable programming in franchise agreements.or, afterwards, regulating its cost to consumers. Rowever,. in another important respect ;tom; spec_Jj&ation o 1 'cable .fac' 'ties a:d equiy�gnt--;S;:;^66'allows State and local ranchsing . authoritids_;t^ Continue their central role. tj eiF ight �'to neqjtiate..s�c�atters i� the franchise press will i��ve: local governments the power to deter ine the h sical nature an -go n- fiauration of cheir7cable systems. Tndee , to the extent that the bill spurs interest in cable investment, local officials may find greater latitude in negotiating the installation of systems, and greater access to the cable capabilities essential to attracting high-technology growth and development to their jurisdictions. A number of mayors, in Minnesota and elsewhere, have expressed concern over S. 66. Accordingly, I voted for the legislation only after helping to secure several changes which, as your Senator and as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations, I felt would significantly improve S. 66 from the perspective of local governments. Along with.Rudy Boschwitz'and other concerned Senators, I worked with Commerce Committee Chairman Bob Packwood to bring about the following changes: 1 a� c� IE�C/IJ�7 �n