Legislative Correspondence
March 21, 2006
VIA Email and
1st Class Mail
((Emai!>>
((CompleteOFFI CIALName _Add ress>>
Re: SF 2361 - Statewide Cable Franchise
Dear ((Title>> ((Las!>>,
I am writing to encourage you to oppose Senate File (SF) 2361 regarding the
creation of a statewide cable franchise. This bill as proposed would establish a
Statewide Communication franchise and would eliminate any existing municipal
franchise agreements and replace them with a State Franchise Agreement.
Included in the bill's language are a number of issues that raise concerns over
the ability to protect consumers and maintain competition.
SF 2361 would create bad public policy and eliminate local municipalities' ability
to protect consumers, address citizen concerns and it would conflict with the
concept of home rule. The City of Dubuque recently completed a very difficult
and costly franchise renegotiation. Our new 15-year franchise agreement
includes certain provisions that will meet the unique, local telecommunication
needs of the Dubuque community. Should the State pass SF 2361, these local
needs would be lost to a process that would create a generic state franchise
agreement that would not take into consideration the particular needs of a
community.
In addition, the current Franchise Agreement allows municipalities to receive
compensation for the use of the public rights-of-way through franchise fees.
However, in SF 2361, the definition of gross revenues has been written so non-
subscriber revenue such as advertising is not subject to franchise fees for the
telecommunication providers, which is inconsistent with existing cable franchise
agreements.
Based upon the above information, I encourage you to oppose SF 2361. Thank
you for your continued efforts on behalf of cities.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:cs
Cc: Mayor Roy D. Buol
Dubuque City Council
Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Dave Heiar, Economic Development Director
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Craig Nowack, Cable Franchise Administrator
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Senate Chamber
Iowa Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
The Honorable Tom Hancock
Senate Chamber
Iowa Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
The Honorable Roger Stewart
Senate Chamber
Iowa Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319