The Federal Government is now slowly revving up after the partial shutdown has ended. We’d like ACM members to focus on two items now that the FCC is back to work:
1. We need members to contact their US House Representatives asking that they express their disapproval at the FCC’s proposed actions in the FNPRM on cable franchising (Docket 05-311). So far nine members of the House have written to the FCC, but more voices should be heard.
2. We want House members to co-sponsor Representative Anna Eshoo’s HR 530, which overturns the FCC’s wireless cell site regulations and restores the principle of local control over local property to meet local needs. The Bill doesn’t directly affect community media, but it supports the fundamental tenet that local communities should control the use of their own property to support the deployment of telecommunications. That’s a key issue for EVERY PEG channel in the United States.
The ACM can share templates you can use for local resolutions and sample letters to give your Representatives. BUT we need EVERY ACM member to contact their representative offices in the next 60 days. Schedule a local meeting with their offices or plan to join ACM’s Board of Directors in Washington DC on March 13th as we talk with Congress.
Let ACM know what you are doing by email at mwassenaar@allcommunitymedia.org.