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ACT is excited to announce that the Community Access Preservation Act (CAP Act) has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ed Markey (D-MA).
We've been working on this re-introduction for many, many months.
There were TWO ADDITIONS
to the CAP Act for this term that allow stations to get HD channels and schedule listing in the program guides. Now the CAP Act will:
- Remove the distinction between Capital and Operating so that PEG channels can use the money they get for both.
- Provide an opportunity for local government units to get funding for PEG channels.
- Allow local government units that do not have PEG channels to get up to 3.
- Stop cable operators from charging municipalities for the transmission of the channels.
- Keep PEG access on the Basic tier of service.
- Make sure that the signal quality is the same as other stations on the system.
- Allow PEG channels to get HD channels when they are ready to do so.
- Allow PEG channels to get their program listings on the programming guides.
I would like to personally thank those who worked so hard on this introduction in the 114th Congress to include: Bunnie Riedel for her countless hours of walking the halls and having meetings; Nantz Rickard for attending many of these meetings and sharing her first-hand expertise as a PEG access television manager; Lucas Swanepoel and Katherine Grincewich of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops for their unwavering support and attendance at meetings; The rest of the ACT Board for advice and powerful insight in the legislative process, to include Dick Treich, Mike Bradley, Melissa Tench-Stevens and Lori Panzino-Tillery.
My thanks also to those in the states to include: Mary Cardona of Wisconsin Community Media; the SEATOA and TATOA chapters; and all of you who've responded when we asked you to contact offices and speak to your Representatives.
And to the amazing staff on Capitol Hill, to include: Brian Moulton and Michael DiNapoli (Baldwin); Joey Wender and Grace Ogilvy (Markey). Thank you for your work and support of PEG access television.
We will have a bill number in the next day or two.
Meanwhile, contact your Senators today! Ask them to be on the CAP Act as a co-sponsor. Call or write an email and also invite them into your studio for an interview and be sure to let us know when you make contact.
Here's to 114th Congress and the passage of the CAP Act!
John A. Rocco, President
American Community Television
8775 Centre Park Drive #255
Columbia, MD 21045
410-992-4976
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