2006.09.18 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cities urged to oppose restrictions on local cable franchising in telecom legislation Ann Higgins The U.S.Senate is poised to take action on legislation that moratorium and the extension of restrictions on state would set back authority for cities to franchise competitive fiscal policies vis a vis taxation of Internet access services cable companies and pre-empt state authority to tax certain and are urging the U.S.Senate to oppose H.R.5252. telecom (Internet access)services.The pre-emption of state With only two weeks remaining before U.S.senators fiscal authority is viewed as the first step in eliminating all return to their home districts to campaign for re-election, Internet access-related state and local taxes.Such restrictions there is little time for Sen.Ted Stevens of Alaska,the chair could permanently place the increasing use of the Internet of the Senate Commerce Committee and author of the for delivery of video as well as data services out of the reach legislation (H.R.5252,the Advanced Telecommunications of any state or local taxing authority. Opportunities Reform Act,formerly known as S.2686),to The League urges city officials to contact Sen.Coleman bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote.(In Minnesota, and Sen.Dayton immediately to make them aware of your Senator Coleman will not be seeking re-election until concerns about the following additional provisions in the 2008;Senator Dayton is not seeking re-election this year.) Senate version of H.R.5252: The Senate is scheduled to recess by Sept.29 until after • Removal of local authority to approve the sale or transfer Nov.7.Sen.Stevens is continuing his efforts to bring the of cable systems. bill to the Senate floor,and attempted last week to attach • Restrictions on local authority to manage the use of cable provisions in the bill to other federal legislation public rights-of-way. awaiting action on the Senate floor. • Strict time limits for local approval of competitive cable Over the last several weeks,the League and the franchises. Minnesota Association of Community Telecommunications • Permanent moratorium on state authority to tax Administrators (MACTA) met with staff members from Internet access and three-year moratorium on state Coleman's and Dayton's offices to explain cities'concerns taxes on cell phone services. and urge them to oppose H.R.5252.In addition,we • No build-out requirements for competitive cable stressed that the Senate should restore language that will franchisees. uphold the ability of cities and cable commissions to pro- • Allowing incumbent cable system operator to drop its tect consumers,manage public rights-of-way,and allow current franchise agreement if competitive franchise is cities to negotiate the terms of build-out requirements granted to new entrant. with competitive cable/video service providers. The National League of Cities and the National To contact Sen.Coleman's office,call(202) 224-5641. Association ofTelecommunications Officers&Advisors To send an e-mail to Sen.Coleman on these issues,send (NATOA),which represents cable commissions and your message to:david_eiselsberg@coleman.senate.gov. city cable franchise administrators,have joined with the To contact Sen.Dayton's office,call (202) 224-3244. National Association of Counties,the U.S.Conference of To send an e-mail to Sen.Dayton,go to:http://dayton. Mayors,and the national Government Finance Officers senate.gov/contact/email.cftn. r Association to oppose the inclusion of the cell phone tax September 13, 2006 LMC Cities Bulletin Page 7