December 2007

The Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory=20
Committee meets today. See http://www.benton.org/node/8126

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
FCC Chief Martin defends media ownership plan
Tribune Takes FCC Waiver Decision to Court

CABLE/BROADCASTING
Blackburn Bill Would Strip FCC=92s 70/70 Authority
Martin FCC Sparks Litigation =91Sue-Nami=92
PTC Denounces CBS For Plans to Air Showtime Shows
Peacock Purge
Agency must apply rules fairly, in consumers' interest

TELECOM
AT&T flings cellphone network wide open
NECA Releases 2007 "Trends" Report
AT&T, Verizon To Swap Rural Wireless Assets

ADVERTISING
Apologetic, Facebook Changes Ad Program
Watching What You See on the Web

QUICKLY -- Headline Highlights -- November 2007;=20
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin Roasted, Then Jabs At=20
Cable; Can Oprah do for Obama what she does for=20
books?; Senators Urge Passage Of Revised FOIA=20
Bill; Tech groups call on Congress to extend R&D tax credit

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

FCC CHIEF DENIES OWNERSHIP RULE LOOPHOLE
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: John Dunbar]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
Martin denied that his proposed media ownership=20
rule has a major loophole that would allow=20
newspapers and broadcast stations to merge in any=20
size market. At a House Telecommunications=20
Subcommittee hearing, Subcommittee Chairman Ed=20
Markey (D-MA) asked Martin whether companies that=20
want cross-owned properties in smaller markets=20
would face "a high hurdle" or a "speed bump"=20
during the approval process. He also asked=20
whether Martin would be willing to work with the=20
Democrats to change the wording. Chairman Martin=20
said he is willing to work with the two Democrats=20
on the commission to change the wording of his=20
proposal to make sure that any transaction=20
resulting in cross-owned properties would face a=20
"high hurdle" in the approval process. The=20
commission is scheduled to vote on the=20
cross-ownership rule Dec. 18. Democrats on the=20
Commission and on the House panel have accused=20
Martin of not allowing enough time for public review of his proposal.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/Other_US_Govermnent/...
ia_Ownership.html
* FCC chief Martin defends media ownership plan
http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN0542108120071205
* Martin Returns Fire at Hill Hearing
Asked whether it was inconsistent to maintain the=20
30% cap on cable-subscriber ownership, as an FCC=20
majority supports, while allowing telephone=20
companies to merge and seeking to loosen=20
broadcast-newspaper cross-ownership rules, Martin=20
said no, that he was proposing maintaining the=20
current caps on local and national radio and TV=20
ownership, as well, confining deregulation to the=20
cross-ownership ban that a court has already=20
agreed the FCC has justified modifying.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6509945.html?rssid=3D193
* FCC's Martin Grilled by Congressmen
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/12/fccs_martin_grilled_by_congres.php
* Martin Not Directly Asked to Hold Off Vote
No member of the House Telecommunications &=20
Internet Subcommittee asked Federal=20
Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin=20
directly if he would be willing to delay a Dec.=20
18 vote on relaxing the newspaper-broadcast=20
cross-ownership rules, although Reps Dingell and=20
Markey made it clear they think a delay would be a good idea.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6509788.html?rssid=3D193
* FCC Media-Ownership Fight Heats Up
Media companies and consumer groups don't agree=20
on many things, but distaste for Federal=20
Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin's=20
effort to rewrite the nation's media-ownership rules appears to be one of t=
hem.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119688263260014739.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one
* Chairman Markey: "The process by which this=20
proposal is considered and voted upon should=20
reflect the importance of the subjects it=20
addresses. Its consideration should also be=20
informed by the public hearings conducted around=20
the country. Postponing the planned vote from=20
December 18th would remove clouds of procedural=20
objections that currently obscure the specifics=20
of the proposal and hamper efforts to directly=20
discuss them. The Chairman=92s plan would benefit=20
from more time so that the public and the=20
Congress can seek clarification over several=20
provisions that remain ambiguous or vague with=20
respect to their intent or operational effect."
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&task=3Dview&id=3D...
2&Itemid=3D141
* Markey: FCC plan is murky
Rep. Ed Markey (D-Malden) yesterday expressed=20
frustration with what he called Federal=20
Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin=92s=20
rushed and ambiguous plan to change rules that=20
ban firms from owning newspapers and broadcast TV=20
or radio stations in the same market.
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=3D1049090
* Chairman Dingell: "In recent months, we have=20
heard about many FCC agenda meetings postponed=20
all day while closed-door negotiations on=20
important public matters are conducted. We have=20
witnessed too much sniping among the five=20
Commissioners, and we have heard too many tales=20
of a short-circuited decision-making process. In=20
sum, the FCC appears to be broken. The victim in=20
this breakdown at the agency is a fair, open, and=20
transparent regulatory process. The real loser,=20
of course, is the public interest and the=20
American consumer. When the process breaks down,=20
reasoned analysis and debate suffer, and public=20
confidence in the agency is shaken. This=20
Committee is responsible for overseeing the=20
Commission, and we cannot let this situation continue."
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110st113.shtml
* Dingell: =91The FCC Appears to Be Broken=92
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6509853.html?rssid=3D193
-- TESTIMONY --
* Chairman Martin: "I have circulated a Localism=20
Report and NPRM that addresses other actions the=20
Commission can take to ensure that broadcasters=20
are serving the interests and needs of their=20
local communities. The rule changes that I=20
propose are intended to promote localism by=20
providing viewers and listeners greater access to=20
locally responsive programming including, but not=20
limited to, local news and other civic affairs=20
programming. Among other actions, the item=20
tentatively concludes that: 1) Qualified LPTV=20
stations should be granted Class A status, which=20
requires them to provide 3 hours of=20
locally-produced programming; 2) licensees should=20
establish permanent advisory boards in each=20
community (including representatives of=20
underserved community segments) with which to=20
consult periodically on community needs and=20
issues; and 3) the Commission should adopt=20
processing guidelines that will ensure that all=20
broadcasters provide a significant amount of locally-oriented programming."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278714A1.pdf
* Commissioner Copps: "The four factors proposed=20
by the Chairman are about as tough as a bowl of=20
Jell-O. You don't even have to meet them=20
all-it's just a list of things the FCC will=20
"consider." Given how the FCC has "considered"=20
media regulation in recent years, I have about as=20
much confidence that a proposed combination will=20
be turned down as I do that the next Commission meeting will start on time."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278711A1.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein: "As the date of a=20
rumored Seattle hearing approached and no=20
announcement was made, Congressman Inslee and=20
Senator Maria Cantwell wrote to ask that the=20
public be afforded one month notice so they could=20
plan for the event. Within hours, their letter=20
was ignored and the public hearing was announced=20
with just five business days notice, the very=20
minimum allowed by federal law.... The next day=20
back at the office, the American people received=20
an answer. The Chairman announced plans in a New=20
York Times op-ed and a press release on how he=20
sought to relax the newspaper-broadcast cross=20
ownership rule. That was not only the first time=20
the public learned of the plan. It was also the=20
first time the Commissioners were notified of the=20
details. It is hard to imagine how it was=20
possible to review and consider hundreds of=20
public comments made in Seattle alone before=20
issuing the proposal the next working day. What=20
could have been a meaningful opportunity for=20
public input and cooperation with Congress turned into a charade."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278715A1.doc
* Commissioner Tate: "Over my 20-plus years of=20
public service - at all levels of government - I=20
cannot remember a single time that an agency=20
expended this much institutional energy and=20
investment on an issue, or was this open and=20
thorough regarding a matter of public interest."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278710A1.doc
* Commissioner McDowell: "Is the cross-ownership=20
ban still in the public interest, or is it a=20
millstone around the neck of a drowning=20
industry? The statute demands an answer. Has=20
this new era of competition been helpful or=20
harmful to localism and diversity? Audiences=20
seeking news, local information and entertainment=20
are more fragmented than ever before. But=20
combinations allowed by the 1996 Act have=20
occurred. What these changes mean for localism=20
and diversity is a question we are still examining.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278712A1.doc
* Media Access Project: "Independent agencies=20
such as the FCC exercise authority delegated by=20
Congress. When agencies demonstrate that they are=20
unable or unwilling to carry out their=20
legislative mandate, Congress must act=20
affirmatively to rein them in. That time has=20
come. Congress should enact legislation to=20
terminate the FCC=92s authority to modify its=20
ownership rules and to provide the transparency=20
that the American public is entitled to receive=20
at one of the most important agencies in the federal government."
http://www.mediaaccess.org/filings/2007-12-05-SchwartzmanTestimony.pdf
* NAA 's Sturm Tells House Panel FCC=20
Cross-Ownership Proposal Offers Little Help For Newspapers
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: Mark Fitzgerald]
Kevin Martin's proposal to ease=20
newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership restrictions=20
for the nation's biggest dailies is not=20
sufficient or just, Newspaper Association of=20
America (NAA) President and CEO John F. Sturm said.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003681582

TRIBUNE TAKES FCC WAIVER DECISION TO COURT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
It didn't take long for Tribune to take the=20
Federal Communications Commission to court over=20
its decision to grant temporary waivers for the=20
company's newspaper-broadcast cross-ownerships in=20
five markets. Why would the company sue a=20
commission that just saved its buyout deal?=20
Because it still gets the waiver whether it sues=20
or not. And if it wins, the newspaper-broadcast=20
cross-ownership ban could get thrown out=20
altogether -- a step FCC Chairman Martin has signaled he is unwilling to ta=
ke.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510011.html?rssid=3D193

CABLE

BLACKBURN BILL WOULD STRIP FCC'S 70/70 AUTHORITY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Rep Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) will soon introduce=20
the Consumer Freedom of Choice in Cable Act, a=20
bill that would strip the Federal Communications=20
Commission's authority to regulate cable under=20
the 70/70 market-power threshold. At the House=20
Telecom Subcommittee hearing yesterday, Rep=20
Blackburn said at the hearing that Martin's=20
"decision to dust off Section 612(g) authority=20
calls into question whether the '70/70' rule is=20
relevant in today's modern, highly competitive=20
world of subscription television.=94 She suggested=20
that it was not, calling it "anachronistic at=20
best and potentially dangerous at worst."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6509977.html

MARTIN FCC SPARKS LITIGATION 'SUE-NAMI'
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
As a result of Federal Communications Commission=20
rules adopted under Chairman Kevin Martin, the=20
cable industry has initiated or joined five=20
federal court cases against the national=20
regulatory body. The industry is expected to back=20
at least four more in the weeks ahead. Depending=20
on the level of Martin=92s success in 2008, cable=20
could end up filing another six cases, bringing=20
the litigation =93sue-nami=94 to 15. Elements of the=20
cable industry are also in court now trying to=20
overturn Martin-backed policies on phone company=20
entry into local video markets; on competitor=20
access to cable wiring in apartment buildings; on=20
waivers from set-top box unbundling rules; and on=20
the sharing of customer proprietary network=20
information with joint venture partners.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6510000.html?rssid=3D196

PTC DENOUNCES CBS FOR PLANS TO AIR SHOWTIME SHOWS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Moss]
The Parents Television Council Wednesday slammed=20
CBS for its plans to air shows from its sister=20
service, Showtime, as fill-in programming if the=20
TV writers=92 strike continues. During a conference=20
Tuesday, CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves=20
said his broadcast network might use series from=20
Showtime as replacement programming if its supply=20
of scripted shows runs out due to the strike. The=20
potential shows that could make their way to CBS=20
are Weeds, Dexter, and Brotherhood. =93CBS=92 plan is=20
purely based on corporate greed, not what=92s good=20
for families or in the public interest,=94 PTC=20
president Tim Winter said in a statement. =93These=20
Showtime programs contain some of the most=20
explicit content on television, period. Yet CBS=20
has no qualms about putting shows that make=20
heroes of serial killers and revel in sick,=20
graphic violence or those that condone drug use=20
and glorify drug dealers in front of millions of=20
children and families on broadcast television.=20
These shows are better left on premium cable=20
where children cannot have as easy access and=20
where families are not forced to pay for them in=20
order to get other basic cable networks.=94
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6509996.html?rssid=3D196

PEACOCK PURGE
[SOURCE: New York Post, AUTHOR: Peter Lauria]
NBC boss Jeff Zucker is expected to make big cuts=20
on the newsgathering and operational side of the=20
company's news division, including eliminating an=20
entire level of MSNBC's management team, in a bid=20
to save between $20 million and $40 million. The=20
cuts, which are expected to come down this week=20
or next, will be weighted evenly between NBC News=20
and MSNBC. CNBC staffers are being shielded from=20
this round of cuts because Zucker wants the=20
network to be at full strength now that the=20
battle with Fox Business Network has begun.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12062007/business/peacock_purge_42933.htm

AGENCY MUST APPLY RULES FAIRLY, IN CONSUMERS' INTEREST
[SOURCE: Tennessean, AUTHOR: Editorial]
[Commentary] Federal Communications Chairman=20
Kevin Martin has the right idea about gaining=20
more regulatory sway over the powerful cable=20
television industry, but his methods to make that=20
point haven't always been on target. The public=20
needs to have faith in all facets of government,=20
and people need to know the FCC is standing watch=20
over operations like the cable industry. But that=20
regulation has to be based on fair applications=20
of the rules, and one recent attempt to gain=20
ground on the cable companies stretched the issue=20
thin. The public should want a tough, aggressive=20
commission looking after their interests,=20
especially in ensuring competition in the=20
marketplace, which benefits consumers. But enough=20
questions seem to exist as to how the commission=20
is making decisions that an airing out of the=20
issues is in order. Relying on outdated=20
legislation as a means to a noble end seems to be=20
a less than forthcoming application of the law.
http://ashlandcitytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20071206/OPINIO...
/712060410/1007/MTCN0105

TELECOM

AT&T FLINGS CELLPHONE NETWORK WIDE OPEN
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Leslie Cauley]
Starting immediately, AT&T customers can ditch=20
their AT&T phones and use any wireless phone,=20
device and software application from any maker =97=20
think smartphones, e-mail and music downloading.=20
And they don't have to sign a contract. AT&T's=20
push to give consumers maximum control of their=20
wireless worlds is being driven, in part, by=20
Google. The tech giant is a monster in the=20
Internet search business for personal computers,=20
and is hoping to replicate that success in the=20
wireless market. Google recently announced plans=20
to link arms with more than two dozen wireless=20
companies, including Sprint, with the goal of=20
developing an operating system that lets=20
consumers use any application on mobile devices,=20
much as they now do on PCs. Other partners=20
include Japanese cellphone giant DoCoMo and=20
handset maker Samsung. AT&T for years kept quiet=20
the fact that wireless customers had the option=20
of using devices and applications other than=20
those offered by AT&T. But now salespeople in=20
AT&T phone stores will make sure that consumers=20
"know all their options" before making a final purchase.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20071206/1b_att06.art.htm

NECA RELEASES 2007 "TRENDS" REPORT
[SOURCE: National Exchange Carrier Association ]
The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA)=20
released Trends 2007: Building Tomorrow=92s=20
Network, a report that shows how NECA member=20
companies in rural America are evolving their=20
networks to support high speed Internet=20
transmission and delivery of video content in=20
order to meet the needs of their customers. There=20
are now 1,054 members of NECA=92s traffic sensitive=20
pool, providing over one million DSL lines. This=20
is a substantial increase from the 814 companies=20
that were providing DSL in 2003 and an even more=20
substantial increase from 1999 when only 151=20
members had a total of 20,000 DSL lines. The=20
progress being made by rural telecommunications=20
companies goes far beyond the ability to provide=20
DSL to their customers. NECA member companies=20
are increasing their use of fiber so they can=20
offer more bandwidth and extend the reach of=20
their networks. They are migrating to packet=20
switching using network routers and softswitches=20
and deploying their networks using packet=20
transmission based on ATM (Asynchronous Transfer=20
Mode), IP and Ethernet technology.
http://www.neca.org/source/NECA_News_4941.asp
* Trends 2007: Building Tomorrow=92s Network
http://www.neca.org/media/Trends2007_final_web.pdf

AT&T, VERIZON TO SWAP RURAL WIRELESS ASSETS
[SOURCE: InfoWorld, AUTHOR: Elena Malykhina]
U.S. carriers AT&T and Verizon on Tuesday=20
announced an agreement to swap their wireless=20
assets, following the carriers' acquisitions of=20
smaller rural providers. The agreement gives=20
AT&T permission to acquire licenses, network=20
assets, and subscribers that Verizon gained in=20
its purchase of Rural Cellular Corp. in the=20
Burlington, Vt., metropolitan service area and in=20
rural service areas in New York, Vermont, and=20
Washington. AT&T said it also will gain a=20
cellular license from Verizon in Kentucky. On the=20
other side of the deal, Verizon gets permission=20
to acquire from AT&T some former Dobson=20
Communications licenses, network assets, and=20
subscribers in Kentucky. Additionally, Verizon=20
will receive 10 MHz of Personal Communications=20
Service spectrum for wireless services in an=20
unspecified number of markets. The practice of=20
gaining spectrum in rural markets through=20
acquisitions has become increasingly of interest=20
to large wireless carriers as a way of expanding=20
their network coverage and gaining additional subscribers.
http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=3D2=
04700537http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?artic=
leID=3D204700537=20

ADVERTISING

APOLOGETIC, FACEBOOK CHANGES AD PROGRAM
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Louise Story]
Mark Zuckerberg, founder and chief executive of=20
the social networking site Facebook, apologized=20
to the site=92s users yesterday about the way it=20
introduced a controversial new advertising=20
feature last month. Facebook also introduced a=20
way for members to avoid the feature, known as=20
Beacon, which tracks the actions of its members=20
when they use other sites around the Internet.=20
Zuckerberg=92s apology =97 in the form of a blog post=20
on Facebook =97 followed weeks of criticism from=20
members, privacy groups and advertisers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/technology/06facebook.html?ref=3Dtoday...
per
(requires registration)
* Facebook Rethinks Tracking
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119687856122414681.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace

WATCHING WHAT YOU SEE ON THE WEB
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Bobby White bobby.white( at )wsj.com]
CenturyTel, a phone company that provides=20
Internet access and long-distance calling=20
services, is facing stiff competition from=20
cellphone companies and cable operators. So to=20
diversify, it's getting into the=20
online-advertising business. And not just any=20
online advertising. The technology it's using=20
could change the way the $16.9 billion Internet=20
ad market works, bringing in a host of new=20
players -- and giving consumers fresh concerns=20
about their privacy. CenturyTel's system allows=20
it to observe and analyze the online activities=20
of its Internet customers, keeping tabs on every=20
Web site they visit. The equipment is made by a=20
Silicon Valley start-up called NebuAd Inc. and=20
installed right into the phone company's network.=20
NebuAd takes the information it collects and=20
offers advertisers the chance to place online ads=20
targeted to individual consumers. NebuAd and=20
CenturyTel get paid whenever a consumer clicks on=20
an ad. This technique -- called behavioral=20
targeting -- is far more customized than the=20
current method of selling ads online.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119690164549315192.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)

QUICKLY

HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS -- NOVEMBER 2007
[SOURCE: Benton Foundation]
November did not see a holiday slowdown in the=20
world of telecommunications policy. In fact,=20
rapid developments seem likely through the rest of 2007.
http://www.benton.org/node/8296

FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN MARTIN ROASTED, THEN JABS AT CABLE
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
At the annual FCC Chairman=92s Dinner, organized by=20
the Federal Communications Bar Association to=20
raise money for charitable causes, Kevin Martin=20
took some -- and gave some -- playful jabs.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6510015.html?rssid=3D196

CAN OPRAH DO FOR OBAMA WHAT SHE DOES FOR BOOKS?
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Andrew Stern]
Celebrity political endorsements do not get much=20
bigger than Oprah Winfrey's. But political=20
experts say it is doubtful the popular U.S. talk=20
show host can sway votes to fellow-Chicagoan and=20
first-term Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the way=20
she persuades viewers to turn books into instant=20
best-sellers or adopt her self-help philosophy.=20
"People say that she won't be able to snap her=20
fingers and have Iowans jump," said Dennis=20
Goldford, a political scientist at Drake=20
University in Des Moines, Iowa. "She will help=20
furnish him with an audience of people attracted=20
to her, for him to make his own pitch," Goldford=20
said. "I think she can sell his books a lot=20
easier than she can sell his candidacy."=20
Three-quarters of the 8.6 million viewers tuning=20
in to Winfrey's show are women, and she reaches=20
46 million unique viewers each week. More than=20
half are over 50 years old, and older people are=20
more likely to vote. While neither Iowa nor New=20
Hampshire has a sizable black population, South=20
Carolina does, and Obama has been vying with=20
Clinton to win support from blacks and from women=20
-- both strong Winfrey constituencies.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DentertainmentNews&...
ryID=3D2007-12-05T143945Z_01_N04543875_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-POLITICS-OPRAH.xml&=
archived=3DFalse

SENATORS URGE PASSAGE OF REVISED FOIA BILL
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
Lawmakers are scrambling to align House and=20
Senate versions of a bill to strengthen=20
freedom-of-information laws in time to pass it=20
this year. After talks to reconcile the bills=20
went nowhere, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman=20
Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)=20
presented a new version of their bill, S.849,=20
yesterday that would bring its financial issues=20
in line with the House version, HR 1309. But with=20
less than three weeks left before Congress=20
recesses for the holidays, it was not clear that=20
the measure would pass muster with the House's=20
pay-as-you-go rules or that President Bush would sign such a bill into law.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003681286

TECH GROUPS CALL ON CONGRESS TO EXTEND R&D TAX CREDIT
[SOURCE: InfoWorld, AUTHOR: Grant Gross]
More than 40 trade groups, many representing the=20
IT industry, have renewed their calls for the=20
U.S. Congress to extend a research and=20
development tax credit that expires this month,=20
saying the tax break protects U.S. jobs. On Nov.=20
9, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a=20
bill, the Temporary Tax Relief Act, that would=20
extend the tax credit until Dec. 31, 2008. But=20
the Senate has not yet acted on the legislation,=20
and some Senate Democrats are pushing for=20
lawmakers to find a way to pay for the cost.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/12/05/Tech-groups-call-on-Congress-t...
xtend-RD-tax-credit_1.html
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------