ACM 2007 Workshop - Chicago Access Network Television


STATE LEGISLATION: LESSONS LEARNED & STRATEGIES FOR THE UPCOMING BATTLES

BRIEF OVERVIEW - Illinois		Barbara Popovic CAN TV Executive Director bpopovic@cantv.org
• February 22, 2007 – HB 1500, a statewide video franchise bill backed by AT&T is introduced in the 2007 legislative session in the Illinois General Assembly
	— Proponents: AT& T, Verizon, IBEW, Chicago Chamber — Opponents: Keep Us Connected, cable industry — Neutral: CUB, Citizen Action
• May 31, 2007 – following substantial negotiations and revisions, the amended HB 1500, now SB 678, passes out of the Telecommunications Committee and the same day passes the House 113-0. All opposition except Verizon's is withdrawn
• June 19, 2007 – SB 678 passes the Senate 54-0
• June 30, 2007 – Governor Rod Blagojevich signs SB 678 into law as Public Act 95-0009 - Public interest advocates hail PA 95-0009 as the best bill in the nation for consumer protections and PEG
• HB 1500 as introduced 2/22/08
• PA 95-0009 as signed into law by Governor on 6/30/07(see 21-301, 21-601, 21-801[d])
• HB 1500 PEG issues
• PA 95-0009 PEG issues as resolved
• Illinois Attorney General Summary of PA 95-0009
• Senior Assistant Attorney General Susan Satter's speech about PA 95-0009

PLANNING FOR AND PARTICIPATING IN STATE LEGISLATIVE BATTLES
Management: Setting Priorities and Resource Allocation
• Setting up a team
• Internal resources
• External resources
.
Organizing/Preparation/Collaboration/Allies
• A coalition of PEGs, cities, consumer advocates, nonprofits, and local residents called Keep Us Connected formed in opposition to HB 1500
• Keep Us Connected urged legislators to support pro-community video franchise
• CAN TV compiled a list of PEG centers statewide for organizing purposes
• Track constituents, board, staff, and others by district *
• Conduct any necessary research on whether competition lowers rates
• Challenge industry claims with research of your own

Public Relations
• Press coverage
• Press - track all hits*
• Update all communications - use check lists*
• Keep Us Connected press conference
• Barbara Popovic interviews Senior Assistant Attorney General Susan Satter

Lobbying
• Sample tools and techniques
	— Roll Call - track position of legislators* — Events - schedule Lobby Day or other strategic event* — Buttons important - ties people to issue — Educational flyers - use to educate on issues — Constituent List - provide legislators with list of constituents that use PEG*
• Public hearing testimony on behalf of PEGs
• Legislators speak out on the issues

Legal
• Compare to other statewide franchise bills - California, Michigan, and Illinois bills
• Customize and strengthen language to meet needs in your state

* For more information and sample documents, contact bpopovic@cantv.org