mass access

Today's hearing in Boston suggest that the people of Massachusetts want the Senate to take the side of the people and not a phone company.

We made it clear why this BILL S1531 H 3765 AKA Verizon Bill should be defeated. Members of our state senate graciously listened and asked questions to learn it was very apparent that the more than 100 people who attended the state house for this hearing that the people of Massachusetts are adamantly in opposition of this Bill. They want it DEFEATED!

The Bill, if passed, as I see it, it would undermine Massachusetts city's and towns buy imposing a short clock on the license application and renewal process, leaving municipalities with little time to properly assess, determine public access and community needs.You have got to read more...

A collective of Massachusetts public access communities are asking friends of Public Access to join us in opposition of Senate Bill # 1531, in house, H 3765, aka Verizon Bill. The bill is apparently a scam being spun as a boost for competition, when we see it as actually an attempt to give Verizon an edge over cable competitors. If successful the bill will place municipalities at a disadvantage when it comes to determining community media, technology and other franchise license related needs. Verizon tried to pass a similar bill before back in 2007, Worcester city council and administration, to their credit and wisdom, joined a large number of cities and citizens across the state in defeating it. Saving this municipality millions of dollars, local controls, senior discounts, locking out potential discriminatory "cherry picking" service practices and maintaining our Public Access as well. The right thing is to shoot this Senate Bill 1531, also known as the Verizon Bill, down immediately. To our Senate representatives we hope you do not fall asleep on this one

On July 22, 2009, there will be a public hearing at the State House on Senate Bill #1531. Join us in saying NO to this Bill.
Please contact your State Representatives and Senators and explain how this bill will adversely affect stations such as WCCA TV and therefore your community. This link should tell you who your local legislators are - http://www.mass.gov/legis/city_town.htm .

We hope our city council ( read more)