Stevens Eases Pace on Franchising Bill

STEVENS EASES PACE ON FRANCHISING BILL
[SOURCE: MediaWeek, AUTHOR: Todd Shields]
Facing Democrats worried about haste and cities concerned about losing privileges, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) delayed by nearly two weeks initial votes on his broad telecommunications bill. Still, Sen Stevens predicted passage, saying he expects to send a modified bill to the Senate floor “with the full support of this committee.” He pledged to work with cities and other localities toward meeting their concerns about video franchising, or the process of granting approval for TV service over landlines. At least three Democratic senators said they were concerned about moving too fast on the 135-age bill unveiled May 1. “I'm much more interested in getting it right, than I am in speed,” said Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND). Sen Stevens said the panel had held 15 hearings before May 1. “On this bill?” shot back Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Chairman Stevens, whose nickname is "The Hulk," replied, “This senator’s going to see this bill gets to the floor and it passes the Senate this year.”
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002538874

* Stevens sees US Senate passing communications bill
http://today.reuters.com/investing/FinanceArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-05-18T181116Z_01_N18230128_RTRIDST_0_TELECOMS-CONGRESS.XML

* Stevens Announces Revised Video Franchising Legislation
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=10034

* Senate Commerce Delays Telecom Markup
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6335963?display=Breaking+News

* Stevens: Senate Will Pass Telecom Bill
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6336053.html?display=Breaking+News

* Dorgan Plans Media Concentration Amendment
Sen Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said Thursday he would take aim at "big Media" in the telecom reform bill. He said that he planned to introduce an amendment on the already omnibus bill to slow the "orgy of concentration."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6335898?display=Breaking+News

* Groups Testify for Choice and Access to Video and Internet
http://www.hearusnow.org/tvradiocable/16/