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TELECOM from page 1 .............................................. Called the "Communications, Consumer's Please Help Oppose These Measures Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006," this measure, like the House bill, would among The League opposes both of these measures other things establish a national franchise for for a number of reasons, including the fact that we video service providers that want to offer telecom- view the lack of build-out protections as anti- munications video and Internet services in com- competitive. We urge city officials to use this time munities throughout the nation. before the bills come up for hearing, to talk to your federal and state representatives about how your The League and other organizations are still residents and businesses would be impacted by analyzing the 135-page measure, and will publish these measures. To access updated talking an analysis soon. A copy of the measure is points, a sample letter and a copy of the League's available on the League's Telecom webpage at opposition letter, please visit the League's online www.cacities.org/telecom. telecom page at www.cacities.org/telecom. You may also write a letter online by using the League's House Bill and AB 2987 Both Likely to Advocacy Center (www.cacities.ora/ Move Soon advocacycenter). Meanwhile the House bill- now numbered as Remember: phone calls and personalized H. R. 5252 - is still headed for a vote on the written letters are more likely to get your House floor, probably sometime in the next two to representative's attention than an email. three weeks. Talk to Your Businesses and Community The California reform measure, AB 2987 Groups (Nunez/Levine) is in the California Assembly Appropriations Committee, but has not yet been City officials are also urged to be alert to industry set for hearing. grassroots lobbying efforts going on in their own backyards. Businesses and community groups The lack of a scheduled hearing, however, are being told that the market competition that AB does not mean any lessening of the intense 2987 hopes to achieve will mean they will receive lobbying around these measures. In California, better telecommunications service at lower cost. telephone companies are making the rounds of But the bill's lack of build-out standards could local chambers of commerce and other groups, mean just the opposite, producing more options for urging that they adopt positions of support for AB large, well-off businesses and residents, and 2987. There have been several instances of bypassing smaller businesses and lower income chambers of commerce backing off a quick areas of your city. "support" decision when they have been con- tacted by League regional staff and city officials For assistance with these efforts, please contact and informed of the serious concerns local your League regional representative. businesses will face if AS 2987 passes in its current form, and telephone companies are not held to higher standards to ensure that service build out will occur without regard to income levels. For more information on this and other League issues, visit www .cacities.org. PAGE 6 . PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Website--www.cacities.org May 5, 2006 - Issue #18 _,______w~_..,_