Cities May Lose Power Over Cable TV

CITIES MAY LOSE POWER OVER CABLE TV
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Marc Lifsher and James S. Granelli]
California cities and counties would be stripped of most of their power to regulate local cable television operators as part of a compromise that emerged Tuesday in a high-stakes legislative battle over local television service. The plan would allow cable TV operators to be regulated statewide by the California Public Utilities Commission. Local officials were wary Tuesday of the proposal, saying they were worried about the effect on pay-TV consumers if local governments could no longer set basic rates, ensure equal access to services for all residents and handle customer complaints. The PUC's proposed role in setting pay-TV rates and service standards was not spelled out Tuesday. "We still think that the kinds of problems that come up are going to be best solved at the local level," said Megan Taylor of the League of California Cities. "If someone puts graffiti on switching boxes, are you going to call the PUC?" Dan Wall, the top lobbyist for Los Angeles County, agreed. "We think local control is the best model, but that doesn't seem to be an option," he said. The compromise was unveiled in the state Senate on Tuesday by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles). He has been shepherding a bill through the Legislature that would allow the state's telephone companies to begin offering local television service transmitted through phone lines. The legislation passed the Assembly on May 31.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-tvbyphone28jun28,1,180904.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage
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