AgdaPkt 2006-06-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

CAUCUSES from page 1 ............................................. "California city officials support and welcome competition among telecommunications provid- ers," said Maria Alegria, first vice president of the League of California Cities and mayor pro tern of the city of Pinole. "We know that it's good for consumers. It leads to lower prices and better service. "But competition must be fair for all Califor- nians. We can only have fair competition and equity if telecom providers are required to commit to build-out schedules that will ensure that all communities, regardless income levels, have access to service within a reasonable timeframe." The League of California Cities is opposed to AB 2987 (NúliezlLevine) in its current form, be- cause it fails to specify build-out schedules for new market entrants, or to guarantee that cities will have the same rights to public access stations and broadband services to schools and libraries as can be negotiated under current cable televi- sion franchising authority. The cities are also concerned about enforcement of consumer protection provisions, maintaining revenues that are vital to providing essential services, and preserving local control over local rights-of-way. The comments by the diversity caucus mem- bers followed a presentation on AB 2987 by its co- author, Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. In additional to Alegria, diversity caucus speak- ers included E. Timothy Parker, mayor pro tern of Newman and president of the African-American Caucus; Steve Cho, vice president of the League's Asian-Pacific Islander Caucus and a council member in the city of Fremont; Ed Balico, vice mayor in the city of Hercules, and a member of the League's Asian-Pacific Islander Caucus; and Tony Cardenas, council member, Los Ange- les, a member of the Latino Caucus. The speak- ers raised concerns about the lack of specific build out provisions in the measure, enforcement of consumer protection standards, continued support for public access or "PEG" ("public, education, government") stations, and service to libraries and schools. Cardenas was adamant that city officials were open to reform, but only if the competition result- ing from that reform is fair to all Californians. "We support competition, but only if it leads to fairness - better access to video and broadband services for all neighborhoods and all businesses, large and small," Cardenas explained. "Assembly Speaker Nunez and Assemblymember Levine... understand our concerns. We are hopeful that we will soon see amendments that address our issues." New Telecom Advocacy Tool Kit The League also rolled out new telecommuni- cations advocacy materials this week, as part of an intensified effort the League will undertake in the weeks ahead to build grassroots coalitions and undertake media outreach regarding state and federal telecommunications reform mea- sures. The "Telecom Action Kit" was presented to city officials at the League's Legislative Action Days, and is available for download at www.cacities.oraf telecom. The kit includes background materials on AB 2987 (Núliez fLevine), direction regarding coalition building and media outreach, and urges city officials to contact their League regional representatives to coordinate grassroots activi- ties. Also included are a sample resolution for adoption by a city or other local agency, a sample oped and sample letter to the editor. Additional tool kit materials will be added in the weeks ahead, as the League continues its em- phasis on educating the media and legislators about local concerns with AB 2987. Visit the League's Official Website--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 5 May 19, 2006 - Issue #20 ~. ... .~......_~.,._.. .._.._..._..__..._~~...._...~---- .._-~. ~.~.__. ._.....~......~.....