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TELECOM from page 4 .............................................. require national franchises to cover the same areas as the existing cable operator(s). New entrants would not have to offer service within their entire areas but would have to abide by anti- discrimination rules within those regions. The committee also rejected amendments that would have retained local governments' control and oversight over their local streets and sidewalks-their public rights-of-way. Instead, the bill gives the Federal Communications Commis- sion (FCC), 3,000 miles away in Washington, D.C., control and oversight. The League urges cities to call their Repre- sentatives and ask for a "NO" vote unless the bill is amended to meet these concerns. As the full House is expected to take this measure up next week, it is important to act immediately. In making these calls, please refer to the Video Franchising Truth White Paper, located at www.nlc.ora, which lays out the real facts and myths on key local government amendments, prepared by the National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and additional local and state organizations. Assembly Committee Passes AB 2987 Also this week, the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee passed on a 10-0 vote (with one member not voting) AB 2987, authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and commit- tee chairman Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys). The vote to move the bill out of committee came after a lengthy hearing of more than two hours. During that time, supporters and oppo- nents argued about whether the measure would achieve its stated goals of promoting competition in video services, providing consumers with more choice, lowering prices, speeding the deployment of new communication and broadband technolo- gies, creating jobs and benefiting the California economy. The committee action was not unexpected, particularly given the influence of the two authors. In meetings with the Speaker's staff, the League had received a receptive hearing of some, if not necessarily all local agency issues and concerns. League staff was informed that the bill would likely be placed on the Assembly Appropriations Sus- pense File (reserved for bills with significant fiscal impacts). During its time on the suspense file, concerns raised by local agencies and others would be considered. These concerns include: build-out provisions (protection against red-lining), con- sumer protection, maintaining public, education and government (PEG) programming and sta- tions, institutional (INET) services for schools, libraries and other governmental buildings, defini- tion of gross revenues and other issues. The League urges cities to review this mea- sure, and to write to their legislators about the impacts that the bill would have on their city. To access a sample letter and talking points, visit the League's website at www.cacities.org/telecom, or the League's online Advocacy Center at www.cacities.ora/advocacycenter. Tips for Effective Advocacy Remember that personal contacts with your representatives are going to carry the most weight - a phone call, a visit to the district office, some type of personal meeting. You can use the talking points on the League's Advocacy Center to help get the conversation going. Second in the order of effectiveness: a faxed letter - on your letterhead - sent to your member. Finally, if you don't have time for the other options, use e-mail. It's available on the Advocacy Center to make it easy for you to be an advocate for your city. It's much better than not writing at all. Visit the League's Official Website..www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS. PAGE 5 April 28, 2006 . Issue #17