Title
Resolution to Urge Legislators to Support 2-Percent Fee for Public Access Television
Body
Whereas, HB 5047 (Johnson, D-Detroit) and SB 636 (Thomas, D-Detroit) reflect the legislative intent to provide 2 percent of gross cable revenues for public, education and government (PEG) access programming;
Whereas, The governor signed legislation to create a uniform video franchising law (PA 480 of 2006);
Whereas, This law deregulated cable in an attempt to create meaningful competition;
Whereas, In the process of the negotiations, lawmakers promised local units of government would receive 2 percent of gross cable revenues specifically for PEG in addition to the 5-percent franchise fee;
Whereas, As current cable franchise agreements have expired, some cable companies are not paying the 2-percent PEG fee;
Whereas, The Michigan Legislature specifically intended for municipalities to receive this money to operate an important community resource and failure to pay the 2-percent violates the spirit of the agreement reached in negotiations; and
RESOLVED, That City Council supports legislation to support a 2-percent fee for public access television;
RESOLVED, That City Clerk send a copy of this resolution supporting the 2-percent fee to the City's State representatives.
Submitted by: Marcia Higgins
Date: June 16, 2008