Attention Citizens of Austin
The Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act to allow PEG contributions from cable and video providers to be used for operational as well as capital expenses is about to be reintroduced in the House by Ohio Republican Steve LaTourette. The bill remains very similar to the bill originally introduced in the last session by Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin that died in committee for lack of Republican co-sponsors.
Although the bill is revenue neutral, it appears to have some opposition from cable companies who would like to see all PEG obligations go away and the bandwidth they occupy returned.
We all need to rally the troops to encourage members of the Texas delegation to sign on to the bill when the letter goes out from LaTourette seeking co-sponsors.
Austin area representatives that need to be contacted are: U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin. Contact information for all representatives can be found at:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
The message to them is simple:
“Please support the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act that will soon be introduced by Representative Steve
LaTourette. This bill will allow improved, continuing operation of the uniquely vital Public, Educational, and Governmental Access cable television programs in Austin and across the country without increasing costs to cable providers, cable customers, or government institutions
by a single cent.”