Texans--Need Help on SB 408

[texastoast]

I just got this from a friend very involved in public radio/public access. Apparently, this is something that has happened today. I know a lot of businesses are against it because they want a piece of the ISP/cable pie, but I wasn't aware of the public radio part. Please forgive if a dupe.

Urgent action is needed in Texas. Powerful telecommunications and cable companies are making a last minute push for two bills -- HB 789 and HB 3179 -- that would cripple community access to local media and broadband Internet across the state.

Late yesterday, Rep. Phil King (R-61) snuck these bills -- which were far too controversial to pass on their own -- into a nearly 200 page "must-pass" bill to maintain the Public Utility Commission.
If the Public Utility Commission bill (SB 408) passes with these
amendments, local communities would be prohibited from offering
high-speed Internet service to their citizens, even those living in
rural and low-income areas left without any service. In fact, it would allow big telecom corporations to opt out of serving such areas
altogether.

These bills also affect your access to media. Cities like Dallas, with 15 educational and public access channels -- the last bastions of local programming -- will be left with just three channels and lose much of their funding. In fact, cities would lose mo ney that may have been used to support public safety, police and fire departments.

Attaching HB 789 and HB 3179 to the Public Utility Commission bill is a down and dirty move to get bad legislation passed by burying it in a huge "must-pass" bill. But you can stop it.

Here's what to do:

1. If you don't know who your state senator is, go to http://www.freepress.net/jump.php?TX and type in your address. Click on your state Senator's name.

2. Next, call your Senator. When you reach a staffer, say:
"I am concerned about provisions in SB 408. The House version contains highly controversial measures that threaten local voices, access to the Internet, and even public safety. More time is needed to debate and write legislation that serves Texas' communications needs, not corporate greed. Please strip these provisions from the new bill. Thank you very much."

3. Next, call Gov. Rick Perry at [phone] (toll free for Texas residents; the main switchboard is [phone]). The governor needs to know these measures are highly controversial and must be stripped. Tell him:
"I am concerned about provisions in SB 408. The House version contains highly controversial measures that threaten local voices, access to the Internet, and even public safety. More time is needed to debate and write legislation that serves Texas' communications needs, not corporate greed. Please strip these provisions from the new bill. Thank you very much."
We can stop this legislation, but you must make your calls today. Call now, and then pass along this message to everyone you know in T