What's New?

February 4, 2010 - These Wisconsin communities have passed a resolution in favor of AB606 (the Cable Consumer Repair Bill) and/or LRB 3996 (the Save Our PEGs Bill)! They recognize the importance of media access for their public, their schools and their local government bodies:
  • Columbus
  • De Pere
  • Eau Claire
  • Hartford
  • Hudson
  • Oak Creek
  • Rice Lake
  • Sturgeon Bay
  • Sun Prairie
  • Watertown

January 29, 2010 - Representative Gary Hebl, sponsor of the Cable Consumer Repair Bill (AB606), has introduced a lighter-weight bill to cover public, educational and government access channels issues only. This bill has a much better chance of passage this session, which is fast coming to an end. The last floor session is at the end of April, possibly May. It is EXTREMELY important that everyone contact their legislator and ask them to co-sponsor. See the "In the Spotlight" area at right for a link to more information on the "Save Our PEGs Bill."

The League of Women Voters has registered in favor of AB606. The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (who registered FOR the Video Competition Bill last time) has indicated it will register in favor of AB606 too!

WAUSAU AREA ACCESS CHANNELS

Will we be saying good-bye at the end of January? The Wausau access channel needs to raise $7,000 for February and $7,000 for March to keep afloat. Charter Communications has not paid PEG fees for two years. The City of Wausau made up the difference, but a budget crisis is prompting them to stop after January 31, 2010. WAAC used PEG fees for 60% of its budget. I am hoping that the City will choose to continue supporting public access with it's share of the cost of access -- the 40%. See the "News" section at right or go to the News page for more on the plight of access television in Wausau.

WYOU (Madison)

WYOU is also struggling this year with a 50% drop in PEG fees from the City of Madison. This station has been trying to raise funds with a variety of public campaigns. Public access stations are going to be hit hardest if PEG fees end, because they are frequently being supported primarily with PEG fees.

Dodgeville

Access television in Dodgeville has seen a huge cut in funding from $30,000 to $5,000. The City chose to end all support except for $5,000 because of budget woes. Located in the schools, Dodgeville has in-kind support, but has had to cut back severely on all but the most limited services.

Come to one of these public listening sessions

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010 1 PM THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010 2:30 PM
ST. NORBERT COLLEGE
MULVA LIBRARY PRESENTATION ROOM		 CITY OF OAK CREEK COUNCIL CHAMBERS
3rd Street
De Pere, Wisconsin

 8640 S. Howell Avenue
Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Speakers include:

Rich Pearson - Vice-President Communication Workers of America (CWA), Local 4603, Milwaukee (Oak Creek only)

Rob Boelk - President, CWA Local 4622, Oshkosh

Dr. Barry Orton - UW-Madison (Oak Creek only)

Just Added!
James Godlewski - City Attorney, City of Neenah (De Pere only)

Just Added!
Ellen Totzke - City Attorney, City of Appleton (De Pere only)

Mary Cardona - Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels

Gary Goyke - Former state senator

It has been two years since the Video Competition Bill became law amidst a barrage of TV-4-US ads and one of the most intense lobbying efforts the legislature has ever seen. Bill backers promised consumers lower rates, cable competition, more jobs for union workers, and the preservation of community access television stations.

Have those promises been kept?

Mounting evidence says NO:

A Legislative Audit Bureau Study says cable rates are skyrocketing.

Just before Christmas, AT&T announced another 52 union workers are losing their jobs.

Wausau Community Television is on the brink of closing its doors because of the loss of funding from Charter Communications.

So what can be done?

The Cable Consumer Repair Bill (AB606), introduced by Rep. Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) and Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) with 29 co-sponsors, would strengthen the hand of consumers, ensure residents get to keep their community access (PEG) television stations, and expand video and broadband roll-out to more of Wisconsin, providing jobs for union workers.

Join in a lively discussion with invited area legislators or their representatives, non-profit organizations, city leaders, community television advocates and our guest speakers.

Sponsored by:

Representative Gary Hebl
Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels
League of Wisconsin Municipalities
Wisconsin Alliance of Cities
Communication Workers of America Locals 4603 (Milwaukee) and 4622 (Oshkosh, Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac)

For more information contact:

Mary Cardona, WAPC, 608-215-5594 wapc@tds.net