Panel backs TV bill

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Apr 24, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:20 a.m.

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A Senate panel advanced legislation Wednesday that would allow telecommunications companies to get a statewide franchise to offer television service.

Proponents of Senate Bill 422 said the legislation would offer consumers better service, new technology and competitive prices.
Opponents said the bill would strip local governments of the franchise authority they currently wield.

The bill would not impact Baton Rouge, at least as far as AT&T is concerned.

Although AT&T is backing the bill, the telecommunications giant reached an agreement last month with the Metro Council to offer television service in East Baton Rouge Parish.

U-Verse — AT&T’s package of fiber-optic cable TV, telephone and high speed Internet service — will be available in 18 to 24 months at a cost of $44 to $154.

The statewide franchise legislation is similar to a bill that former Gov. Kathleen Blanco vetoed last year because of concerns about the bill’s impact on local governments.

At the outset of Wednesday’s committee meeting, Sen. Ann Duplessis, D-New Orleans, warned that the debate would be limited to six speakers on each side of the issue.

“We’re not going to hear all 50 cards,” she said of the requests submitted to the committee by people wanting to speak.

Currently, cable companies negotiate with local governments on franchises, paying larger metropolitan areas more than a million dollars a year in fees.

SB422 would allow telecommunications companies to file an application with the Secretary of State’s Office for a 15-year, renewable statewide franchise.

The application would include a list of municipalities and parishes in which the company wants to offer cable television.

Local governments would be able to collect up to 5 percent of the company’s gross revenues from providing the service.

“At the end of the day, I’m resolved that the consumers will have the benefit,” Duplessis said.