Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Urging the Wisconsin State Legislature to oppose the elimination of funding for local PEG Access channels.
Body
WHEREAS, AB 207 and SB 107, the "Video Competition Act', has been introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature with provisions that would prohibit Wisconsin municipalities from continuing existing funding mechanisms for Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) Access television such as Madison City Channel; and
WHEREAS, the services and programming provided by Madison City Channel are an important part of open government in Madison and are valued by both local Madison government and the Madison public; and
WHEREAS, the existing PEG funding arrangement between the City and Charter Communications allows Madison City Channel to maintain its level of service while reducing pressures on local property taxes; and
WHEREAS, passage of AB 207 and SB 107 as written would force the City of Madison, as well as municipalities across the state, to either shut down these vital community voices or raise local property taxes to make up the funding shortfall; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison oppose AB 207 and SB 107 as written and urge its Wisconsin Legislature delegation to oppose this bills or any similar legislation that does not preserve existing funding mechanisms for PEG television.