Verizon State Franchise Bill

Giving up local control of cable franchising to the state doesn't seem desirable. One can imagine that local needs and local concerns might be lost if all cable franchises are dealt with at the state level. Money that is currently guaranteed for local cities and towns to use for public, educational, and government tv stations would be divided up by the State House in Boston, who knows if Worcester will get the share it is guaranteed.

The Worcester City Council last week addressed the issue of Statewide Cable Franchising. In a resolution all councilors voted “That the Worcester City Council does hereby urge the Massachusetts Legislature, the the strongest possible manner, to oppose any effort to eliminate the municipal consent process for competitive providers of cable television service... ”

Competition is great, yes, but not at the expense of local interest and control.