Agenda - Council - 07/26/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

I I I i I '1 I I / / ~UDY BOSCHWITZ ,' MINNESOTA WASHINGTON, D.C, 2:O510 June 30, 1983 Hon. Thomas Gamec Mayor of Ramsey 15153 Nowthen Blvd. N.W. Anoka, Minnesota 55303 Dear Mayor Gamec: I thought you migh~ be interested in ]knowing the Cable Telecommuni~ions Act (S:. 66)' COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: AGRICULTURE BUDGET FOREIGN RELATIONS SMALL BUSINESS VETERANS AFFAIRS the status of The full- sehate..took up Cons]derafion of S. 66 on June 13 and 14 and approve~ .it by.a vote of 87-9. In my opinion, even with the adopted am~'ndm~n'ts'-ah~"the committee changes, the bill is inadequate. I believe it takes too much cont'rol away from the local communities and transfers it to.the federal government and the cable companies. In keeping with my position as an advocate of local control, I voted against S. 66. I i Several amendments were offered to S. 66. Two amendments that I believe would have improved the bill were defeated. One amendment would have disallowed an automatic, annual rate increase by cable companies. The second amendment proposed "grandfathering" into the bill all previous cable agreements. I I I I I I I I In spite of amendments ! offered with Senators Lautenberg (D-New Jersey), Exon (D-Nebraska), and Durenberger, we were not able to produce a final bill that I could support. As it now stands, the local communities will have their authority abrogated through this legislation. Senate bill 66 has been referred to the House for consideration. If you haven't done so-already, I suggest you con tact your Representative and ex pr~ss-~our concerns. / /. Thanks for your interest in thSs matter. S' c, erely, Rudy Boschwitz United States Senator RB/mc //