Burns, Inouye Team on Video Franchise Principles

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Senate Commerce Committee member Conrad Burns (R-T) and Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) have released a "series of principles" they say are "essential" to any video-franchising reform legislation. Essentially, they are backing streamlining the process, with the caveat that state and localities must not be stripped of their authority; that terms for new entrants, like cable video, should be essentially the same as for incumbents; and that the playing field should be technologically neutral. The legislators' three main principles: 1) Recognize and Reaffirm the Role of States and Localities in the Video Franchising Process; 2) Promote Competition by Facilitating Speedy Entry on Fair Terms; 3) Promote Competitive Neutrality and a Level Playing Field;
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* Press release from Sen Burns:
http://burns.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressR...

* Sens. Unveil Franchise-Reform Principles
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6304448.html?display=Breaking+News
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