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PROP. 90 from page 8 ........... eGo.. ... .. 9A H.R. 5252 from page 1..... oe .. u u.. Page 37 reaching minority voters. Many of you are already The League urges cities to write to California very engaged with your local advocacy groups and Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to thank we encourage you to speak to them about Prop. them for their support for California cities' telecom- 90. munications reform priorities, but to ask them to continue to oppose this measure. A sample letter is Coalition Against Prop. 90 Continues to Grow available on the League's online Advocacy Center (www.cacities.oraladvocacycenter). The opposition to Prop. 90 continues to grow Background on the Federal Telecom Bills as more groups learn about this deceptive and costly measure. In the last week, the following Two versions of telephone company-sponsored groups have pledged their opposition to Prop. 90 telecommunications legislation were introduced in along with dozens of local elected officials: Congress this year, one bill in the House and one in . California State Sheriffs' Association the Senate. The House bill, H.R. 5252, (Barton - Texas), which is a national franchise, passed out of . Windsor Fire Protection District the House in June in a form that is strongly op- . Ontario Chamber of Commerce posed by the League, the National League of Cities . California Tax Refonn Association and other local government organizations. . Ventura County Taxpayers Association . San Diego Housing Federation The Senate bill began as S. 2686 (Stevens - . Association of California School Adminis- Alaska), but passed out of the Senate Commerce, trators Science, and Transportation Committee in late June . Western Center on Law & Poverty renamed as H.R. 5252. As city officials compare . California Association of Sanitation Agen- the three bills, one thing to note is that AB 2987 is a cies state-issued franchise, while the Senate version of H. R. 5252 is a national franchise that is locally For a coalition list, visit www.NoProp90.com. administered. Sen. Boxer, a member of the commit- tee, worked with other senators to achieve some Time is short, and the actions we take in the improvements in the bill, serious problems remain. next few weeks will literally shape California's These include the following: landscape for the next few decades. . Access for All Consumers. The bill lacks Unless we all come together in the next few build-out requirements that will ensure that 21st weeks to raise the funds and run the campaign century telecommunications service will be available that is needed, California residents and local to all consumers. governments will live with the devastating conse- . Preserving Valuable City Services. We quences of Prop. 90 for a long time to come. concerned with the potentially significant impact of Note: This story is produced using non-public the cell phone and tax moratorium amendments added during markup of the legislation. funds of the League of California Cities.Public officials are urged to avoid using public funds and . Opt-outs for Bundled Services. The bill equipment in supporting or opposing any ballot allows video service providers who bundle their measure, including Prop. 90. We urge you to send service with satellite services to opt out of the your private email address to your League Re- franchise negotiation process, thereby avoiding the gional Representative for regular updates on the obligation to compensate communities for and safe "No on Prop. 90" campaign and information on and responsible use of public rights of way. how you can help with your personal time and The amended version of the bill finally became resources. available on August 4, and is available on the Continued on Page 10 Visit the League's OffIcial Website--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS. PAGE 9 August 18, 2006 -Issue #33 -