Re: WATPA: Taxing the Internet, Quietly

About this list Date view Thread view Subject view Author view Attachment view

From: YTdave@AOL.COM
Date: Wed Jun 28 2000 - 08:12:05 EDT


DDeBar

Yes, the rationale for franchise fees is that the cable operator (now
telecomm operator) is using the public rights of way.

No, there isn't a standard agreement, and you bring up a key point. Now,
with merger mania hitting the telecomm industry, most municipalities have a
fresh opportunity to look at all issues relating to cable and telecomm. I
suggested to Norm that we approach the County to establish a County
cable/telecomm coordinator, to be available as a resource to municipalities.
Otherwise, most of us are at the mercy of the phalanx of attorneys brought in
by Big Cable.

County cable coordinator could collect and compare all the local contracts,
and suggest a model contract for all of us little guys. Each municipality
could kick in, say 1/2 of 1% of their franchise fees to fund it.

What do you think?

Dave Wright


About this list Date view Thread view Subject view Author view Attachment view

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Fri May 31 2002 - 23:55:01 EDT