Title
Adoption of Resolution of Opposition to Senate Bill 1504 - The Ensign/McCain Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act
Body
Whereas, on July 27, 2005, U.S. Senators John Ensign and John McCain introduced Senate Bill 1504 - The Ensign/McCain Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act; and
Whereas, SB1504 abolishes cable franchising fees which ensure that the services cable companies provide meet local needs, provide needed protections and allows for these provisions to be changed over time as needs change and technology evolves; and
Whereas, this Bill could substantially reduce the cable franchise fees providers pay to use public property; and
Whereas, SB1504 does not adequately preserve the local ability to manage the streets including the requirement for providers to relocate lines at their expense when streets are straightened or widened; and
Whereas, this Bill does not have meaningful provisions on channels for public, educational or governmental use, and lacks provisions in current law requiring the provider to provide funds to support these channels; and
Whereas, SB1504 appears to abolish all zoning of cellular towers so towers may be put anywhere in a community without consideration of need or possible effect on property values; and
Whereas, this Bill attempts to prevent government from providing the public with communications services; and
Whereas, SB1504 abolishes telephone franchises and fees, even though these companies have and should continue to pay "rent" to use the streets, which are publicly owned and maintained; and
Whereas, this Bill could cost Michigan communities one million ($1,000,000) dollars per year in lost revenues from cable and telephone companies.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Rochester Hills City Council opposes Senate Bill 1504, the Ensign/McCain Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act, because it does not approach comparability in terms of benefits for municipalities or the ...
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