Senate passes bill allowing statewide cable franchises

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: May 7, 2008 - Page: 6A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Legislation that would allow companies such as AT&T to get a statewide franchise to offer television service cleared the Senate on Tuesday.

The Senate voted 27-8, with little discussion, to advance Senate Bill 807 to the House.

AT&T lobbied heavily for the legislation, which originally was Senate Bill 422. Company officials held a news conference at the State Capitol as the legislation began to work its way through the process and testified at the committee hearing on the bill.

The telecommunications giant plans to offer U-Verse — a package of fiber-optic cable TV, telephone and high speed Internet service — in 18 to 24 months at a cost of $44 to $154.

In East Baton Rouge Parish, the legislation would be meaningless for AT&T.

The company reached a separate agreement with the Metro Council to offer U-Verse in East Baton Rouge Parish.

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

Under SB807, telecommunications companies would file an application with the Secretary of State’s Office for a 15-year, renewable statewide franchise.

Local governments would be able to collect up to 5 percent of the company’s gross revenue from providing the service. The legislation is entitled the “consumer choice television act.”

Former Gov. Kathleen Blanco vetoed similar legislation last year after local governments voiced concerns that there would be a negative impact for them.

The bill’s opponents contend the legislation would strip the local governments of franchise authority.

Voting FOR a statewide franchise for cable television service (27): Chaisson, Alario, Broome, Cassidy, Cheek, Cravins, Dorsey, Duplessis, Dupre, B. Gautreaux, N. Gautreaux, Gray, Hebert, Heitmeier, Jackson, Kostelka, Marionneaux, Martiny, McPherson, Michot, Mount, Murray, Quinn, Riser, Smith, Thompson and Walsworth.

Voting AGAINST a statewide franchise for cable television service (8): Adley, Crowe, Donahue, Erdey, LaFleur, Long, Nevers and Shaw.