Telecom Reform Legislation H.R. 5252* Weakens Local Governments’ Ability to Protect Their Citizens

*Both the House and the Senate Bill are numbered H.R. 5252. Senate Bill is called the ATOR Bill and the House Bill is called the COPE Bill.

Here’s what’s at stake for your community if H.R. 5252 passes:

Loss of franchise fees from telecom service providers will strain local budgets, forcing local governments to raise taxes, cut services or both.

Broadband video providers will get to cherry-pick which sections of your community they wish to service. Whole areas in your state could be left without access to the latest technologies.

Local governments will lose enforcement authority to make sure that when telecommunication companies dig up your community’s roads and sidewalks they are properly repaired.

Local authorities will not be able to assist their citizens with consumer complaints against telecom companies. Unresolved issues will have to be addressed by the FCC in Washington.

Local Communities Lose with Passage of Communications, Opportunity and Promotion Enhancement Act of 2006 (COPE)

On June 8, 2006, the House voted on the Communications, Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 (COPE). The bill passed by a vote of 321 –101.

Telecom reform is underway in America. Its outcome will have a profound effect on your community.

Want to know how your Congressional Representatives voted?

Learn who voted with your community’s best interests in mind. Click on “Yay” or “Nay” for the full list. (*NV = not voting.)

	Yeas	Nays	NV
Republican	215	8	8
Democratic	106	92	3
Independent		1
Totals	321	101	11

 

Consumers traded protection for yet more promises of increased competition and lower rates.

In spite of what the Big Telecoms claim, taxpayers lost, not won, with COPE. This legislation would basically strip local governments of control and will cost local communities billions in revenue.

Can you imagine calling the FCC about your cable bill?

With the COPE bill, consumers’ service issues won’t be taken care of locally. They’ll have to direct their complaints to the FCC in Washington—an agency known for tracking complaints, not resolving them!

Can you imagine Washington, DC being in charge of construction on your street during rush hour?

With the COPE bill, video service providers are ENTITLED to use public streets and sidewalks and are no longer held accountable by local authorities. This means:

• They can dig up public right-of-ways when and where they please.
  
  
• They can disrupt traffic patterns at will.
  
  
• It’s up to the FCC in Washington to make sure that any damage to public spaces has been properly repaired. Interestingly, Congress specifically stated in 1996, and again in 2002, that they did not want the FCC engaged in this level of oversight.