HomeMy WebLinkAboutR89-199CABLE COMMUNICATION ACT OF 1984
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RESOLUTION NO. R89-199
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PLAINVIEW, TEXAS, URGING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED
STATES TO REVISE THE CABLE COMMUNICATION POLICY ACT
OF 1984, AND EXPRESSING GENERAL CONCERN ABOUT THE
NEED FOR GREATER LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATORY
AUTHORITY.
WHEREAS, the Cable Communication Act of 1984, restricted States'
and local governments' abilities to regulate the cable television
industry directly; and
WHEREAS, since the passage of the Cable Communications Act of
1984, concentrations of ownership amounting to monopolies have
increased among cable operators, even though the Act was intended to
"promote competition in cable communications and minimize unnecessary
regulations that impose undue economic burden on cable systems;" and
WHEREAS, more than half of the nation's households, and more than
70% of the residents of Plainview subscribe to cable, and cable
television is increasingly becoming the main means of access to
information and entertainment; and
WHEREAS, cable subscribers in Plainview have been subjected to
basic rate increases of twenty-five percent (25%) over the past four
years, as well as increases in the costs of additional outlets,
installation, etc.; and
WHEREAS, cable television is rapidly being priced beyond the reach
of lower income people, including families with children and the
elderly, who are particularly in need of information and other
services that are available solely through cable television; and
WHEREAS, the diversity of information services promised by the
1984 Cable Communications Act has failed to materialize; and
WHEREAS, the promise of universal service, similarly, has not been
fulfilled; and
WHEREAS, existing law provides this City and other franchising
authorities no authority to control or question the imposition by
cable franchisees of exorbitant rates upon citizens whose
rights-of-way have been placed at the companies" disposal by virtue
of the grant of franchises; and
WHEREAS, the National League of Cities has adopted policies in
favor of increasing local governments' cable regulatory authority and
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in favor of more competition in the provision of cable television
service to consumers; and
WHEREAS, legislation that is now pending in the Congress seeks
comprehensive changes in the Cable Communication Act of 1984.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City
of Plainview, that it declares its support for the restoration of
local regulatory authority over cable television systems. The
Congress of the United States should rewire the Cable Communication
Policy Act of 1984, with particular focus on reregulations of
subscriber rates, allowance of telephone company provision of cable
service under circumstances that respect local government authority
system ownership transfers, the impact of vertical integration in the
cable industry and other aspects of the Act that directly impact
local regulation and consumers. The City of Plainview urges
Congressional action for appropriate federal legislation to restore
local authority over cable systems, to eliminate the barriers to
competition, and to rectify other aspects of the 1984 Act that work
to disfavor cable consumers.
Passed and Approved this 28th day of November, 1989.
E.V. Ridlehuber, Mayor
ATTEST:
Carla Reese, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
~ames P~/Jeffer~,~i~y .M~ager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Davi~ Blackburn, City Attorney
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