roundtable: Alliance Public Policy Update

roundtable: Alliance Public Policy Update

Alliance Public Policy Update

AllianceCM@aol.com
Tue, 7 Mar 1995 17:38:10 -0500 

Date: Tue, 7 Mar 1995 17:38:10 -0500
From: AllianceCM@aol.com
Message-Id: <950307173758_42295335@aol.com>
To: alliance-nw@isu.edu, roundtable@cni.org, media-forum@actwin.com
Subject: Alliance Public Policy Update 


The following is a summary of the March 2, 1995, Public Policy Update 
fax broadcast to the members of the Alliance Public Policy Council, 
Public Policy Network, and Public Policy Committee:

1. Public Policy Alert

On February 16th, the Alliance sent out an "action alert" to over 150 key 
Alliance members through our fax broadcast system and various internet 
"listserv's." The alert requested immediate action on the draft bills 
offered by Senator Pressler (R-SD) and Hollings (D-SC). In the opinion 
of the Alliance, both drafts were detrimental to citizen access to video 
dialtone since they only offered "incremental costs" for purchase of 
video data "universal service" to selected non-profit organizations. We 
feel that this would only benefit large non-profit organizations -- and 
would create an expensive barrier to access by private citizens, small 
non-profits, and government access organizations. We support an even 
competitive playing field which would include a franchise-like payment 
to state and local entities for PEG access, facilities, equipment, and 
services. Consequently, we urged our members, who directly represent 
these sectors of the public interest, to communicate their concern to 
their Senators.

2. Senate Update

Senate Staffers are continuing to meet to work out differences between 
the two draft bills, from Senators Pressler (R-SD) and Hollings (D-SC).

3. House Update

No legislation has yet been introduced. From our meeting with Rep. Jack 
Fields, we anticipate that a draft bill  will be introduced in about two 
weeks away.

4. Alliance Lobby Day

About 35 Alliance Board of Directors members and other Alliance 
members came to Washington on Thursday, February 23, specifically to 
lobby members of Congress on behalf of PEG access and their 
constituents.  We visited about 100 offices in the Senate and House of 
Representatives. The highlight was a meeting with House Subcommittee 
Chair Jack Fields (R-TX) himself.

5. FCC Video Dialtone Filing

The Alliance is working on a filing with the FCC, due March 21st, with a 
coalition of public interest groups. The FCC is ready to revisit the 
issue of how video dialtone and cable are to be regulated, given the 
likelihood that the Supreme Court will strike down the law prohibiting 
telephone companies from getting into the cable business.

6. Grassroots Mobilization

The Alliance will mail an information packet to the 1,200 Alliance 
members next week which will include details of our efforts to date, the 
status of Senate and House telecommunications reform bills, and sample 
letters.

For more information on public policy, Alliance members may call Jeff 
Hops at (202) 393-2650. For information for joining the Alliance for 
Community Media or the Alliance Public Policy Network, call Kelly 
Matthews at (202) 393-2650.
_________________________________________________

National Office
Alliance for Community Media
666 11th Street, NW, Suite 806
Washington, DC 20001-4542

Voice:      (202) 393-2650
Fax:        (202) 393-2653
E-mail:     AllianceCM @ aol.com

"Ensuring everyone's access to electronic media
since 1976."

Barry Forbes, Executive Director

"Do what's right. Do it right. Do it right now."
_________________________________________________

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