Federal Level Threat to Public Access

From the Alliance for Community Media:

The FCC is proposing to rule that all “In-Kind” cable franchise obligations other than PEG capital costs and build-out requirements are a “franchise fee” under the Cable Act and thus count against the 5% franchise fee cap. The FCC would define “In-Kind” contributions so broadly as to undermine the Cable Act’s intent to provide franchise fees to communities for use of public rights of way.

Franchise Fees are the rent cities charge telecommunications companies for use of public Right-of-Ways. Franchise Fees make up a significant portion of every city's general fund AND supply the bulk of funding to Access Channels and Centers across the nation; this ruling will eliminate those fees and wipe out Public, Government and Education Access nationwide.

TAKE ACTION - FCC

Take Action - Tell the FCC Not to Adopt this Ruling

File a Comment with the FCC. DEADLINE: Dec 14, 2018.

Proceedings Reference: 05-311
Tell them: "I disapprove of the proposals and tentative conclusions set forth in the FCC's Sept 25 Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in Implementation of Section 621(a)(1) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 as Amended by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992"
Briefly tell them about your relationship to Community Media and why Community Media is important to you.
Request: "Protect PEG channels in our community and others by choosing not to adopt many of the proposals in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking."

Click Here to File a Comment with the FCC

How to Complete the FCC Express Comment Form:

In “Proceedings” enter “05-311”
In “Name of Filer” enter your name, first and last
In "Primary Contact Email" enter your email address
In “Address” enter your Address
Enter your City, State, and Zip Code
Enter your comments
Check “Email Confirmation”
Enter “Continue to Review Screen”
Enter “Submit”

Click to Enlarge

TAKE ACTION - Contact Senators and House Reps

Contact Michigan Senators:

Tell them to Express Strong Disapproval of FCC Ruling.
Do not allow our Community Media centers to be defunded; tell them how important Public Access is to you.
You will not tolerate this FCC ruling silencing your voice.

Senator	Phone - Washington, DC	Email Contact Form
Sen. Gary Peters	(202) 224-6221	Peters Email Contact Form
Sen. Debbie Stabenow	(202) 224-4822	Stabenow Email Contact Form

Contact Michigan House Reps:

Tell them to Express Strong Disapproval of FCC Ruling.
Ask them to sign on to Rep. Peter Welch (VT) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME) letters to FCC Chairman Pai expressing concern about the effects of the FNPRM on cable franchising
Do not allow our Community Media centers to be defunded; tell them how important Public Access is to you.
You will not tolerate this FCC ruling silencing your voice.

District	Cities	Representative	Phone - Wash., DC	Email Contact Form
8th	Rochester Rochester Hills Oakland Twp	Rep. Mike Bishop	(202) 225-4872	Bishop Email Contact Form
9th	Berkley Ferndale Royal Oak Madison Heights St Clair Shores Warren Part of Clawson Part of Sterling Heights	Rep. Sander Levin	(888) 810-3880	Levin Email Contact Form
11th	Troy Auburn Hills Part of Clawson	Rep. David Trott	(202) 225-8171	Trott Email Contact Form