Legislative Ltrs telecommunicatCity Mmnager's Office
City Hall
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-41t0 office
(563) 589-4149 fax
ctymgriikityofdubuque.org
February 6,2003
VIA Email and
1St Class Mail
pam_jochum@legis.state.ia.us
The Honorable Pam Jochum
Iowa State Representative
2368 Jackson
Dubuque, lA 52001
Dear Representative Jochum,
I am writing to you regarding HSB 46 related to a municipality's ability to pursue
and maintain telecommunication utilities. This legislation would prohibit the use
of general fund moneys or other moneys derived from tax revenues, directly or
indirectly, to study or support any type of telecommunications operation by a
municipality. The impact of such legislation on cities, municipal utilities and
ultimately Iowa consumer, would be significant.
In July 1996 the City of Dubuque lost its limited rate regulation authority for basic
cable service in our community. Since that time, cable rates have increased
90.7% locally as compared to a national rate of inflation of 15% for the same 6.5
year timeframe. The proposed legislation, if passed, would eliminate competition
in Iowa and could increase the risk of skyrocketing rate increases should
municipalities be prevented from pursuing telecommunication services. The new
law would also impose new taxes, restrictions on financing and operations and
changes to the open records law that would make it difficult for existing municipal
systems to remain in operation. This legislation would take away a means for
Iowa communities to provide affordable telecommunications services when there
are no alternatives or when they are dissatisfied with the current service provider.
hope you will join us in opposing this legislation as currently under study.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
Cc:Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Bill Baum, Economic Development Director
Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
The Honorable Para Jochum
Iowa State Representative
2368 Jackson
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Pat Murphy
Iowa State Representative
155 N. Grandview Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Robert Osterhaus
Iowa State Representative
216 Austin
Maquoketa, IA 52060
The Honorable Steven Lukan
Iowa State Representative
7365 Columbus Street
New Vienna iA 52065
The Honorable Gene Manternach
Iowa State Representative
9608 Maple Road
Cascade, iA 52033
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) ,589-4110 office
(563) 589~149 fax
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
February 6, 2003
VIA Email and
Ist Class Mail
mike connolly@le.qis.state.ia.us
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Iowa State Senator
3458 Daniels
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Senator Connolly,
I am writing to you regarding SSB 1037 related to a municipality's ability to
pursue and maintain telecommunication utilities. This legislation would prohibit
the use of general fund moneys or other moneys derived from tax revenues,
directly or indirectly, to study or support any type of telecommunications
operation by a municipality. The impact of such legislation on cities, municipal
utilities and ultimately Iowa consumer, would be significant.
In July 1996 the City of Dubuque lost its limited rate regulation authority for basic
cable service in our community. Since that time, cable rates have increased
90.7% locally as compared to a national rate of inflation of 15% for the same 6.5
year timeframe. The proposed legislation, if passed, would eliminate competition
in Iowa and could increase the risk of skyrocketing rate increases should
municipalities be prevented from pursuing telecommunication services. The new
law would also impose new taxes, restrictions on financing and operations and
changes to the open records law that would make it difficult for existing municipal
systems to remain in operation. This legislation would take away a means for
Iowa communities to provide affordable telecommunications services when there
are no alternatives or when they are dissatisfied with the current service provider.
I hope you will join us in opposing this legislation as currently under study.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
Cc:Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Bill Baum, Economic Development Director
Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Iowa State Senator
3458 Daniels
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Julie Hosch
Iowa State Senator
22852 Butterfield Road
Cascade, IA 52033
The Honorable Roger Stewart
Iowa State Senator
3936 317 Avenue
Preston, IA 52069