Austin, TX – City Council unanimously passed a resolution today supporting the passage of federal legislation to preserve Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) channels and funding. The resolution calls on Austin’s congressional delegation to take all possible action in support of such legislation by endorsing, co-sponsoring, and voting for it.
“PEG has proven to be an integral part of our local democratic process, making it easier for our residents to access local government – and to express their views via public access. It’s a vital and vibrant resource that’s worth protecting,” said Doug Matthews, Chief Communications Director for the City of Austin.
City Council took this action following similar resolutions from channelAustin’s Board of Directors and staff urging passage of the Community Access Preservation Act or CAP Act.
"I'm encouraged by City Council's action today. We need Austin’s congressional delegation to get behind the CAP Act,” said Chip Rosenthal, Chair of the Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission and head of a task force on future funding for community television that’s been meeting to solidify Texas support for the CAP Act.
In October, Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin filed the Community Access Preservation Act (H.R. 3745), which, if enacted, would preserve and protect PEG access channels in four ways. This bill:
1. Allows PEG access fees to be used for any PEG-related purposes;
2. Ends operators' discriminatory treatment of PEG channels;
3. Directs the FCC to study and report on the effects recent states' video franchising legislation has had on PEG access; and
4. Defines all video services delivered to the home over wire as "cable" for the purposes of the act, regardless of the transmission protocol used.
The CAP Act has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It now has 6 co-sponsors: Danny Davis (D-IL); Michael Honda (D-CA); John Larson (D-CA); Janice Schakowsky (D-IL); Fortney Stark (D-CA); and Michael Thompson (D-CA).
Nationally, the Alliance for Community Media is acting as a clearinghouse for information on action. More details are here: www.alliancecm.org/cap
Information about efforts in Austin and Texas will be made available on the Save Texas Access web site at: www.savetexasaccess.org
