Sen. Ketron: Local governments add little by cable-franchise oversight

Senator argues cities and rural Tennessee benefit, while counties' opposition is rising

Email | Print By Milt Capps

State Sen. Bill Ketron

State Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) made clear last week he believes that local governments add little value in overseeing cable-television franchises, play only a small role in resolving most consumer complaints and indirectly increase the cost of Internet and video services for consumers.

These views, plus Ketron's oft-voiced goal of increasing competition among video-service providers and encouraging development of advanced communications infrastructure in Tennessee, seem to provide most of the motive force for Ketron's sponsorship of Senate Bill 1933, the Competitive Cable and Video Services Act — routinely referred to these days as "the AT&T bill."

That bill would allow video- and cable-service providers to obtain a single statewide franchise via the office of the Secretary of State Riley Darnell, rather than facing the prospect of negotiating individually with Tennessee's 347 municipalities and 95 counties.

Ketron displays an easy confidence in discussing his legislation, perhaps because what he calls "the big battle that's brewing on the Hill" is actually Round Two, a steroid-injected rematch following last year's more casual foray into the same issue.

Opponents argue that new operators, freed of the build-out requirements of local franchises, will simply serve the most affluent communities — a strategy known as cherry-picking by some and as "red-lining" discrimination by others. Ketron and his co-sponsors remind critics that socio-economic discrimination is forbidden under his legislation, but opponents say enforcement provisions are inadequate.

David Seivers, executive director of the Tennessee County Services Association, told NashvillePost.com that his organization, which serves county mayors, commissioners and other officials, is opposed to Ketron's bill.

Seivers does, however, concur with Ketron's assessment of the enormity of the lobbying battle that lies ahead, noting that lobbying and other advocacy costs will probably represent "the most money ever put behind a bill" in Tennessee.

Seivers said that the legislation would "unfortunately limit competition and services to more fixed, higher-density areas or potentially a more affluent area, by virtue of eliminating build-out requirements."

Meanwhile, NashvillePost.com has learned that the Murfreesboro Cable Television Commission, which operates in Ketron's district, voted yesterday to invite Ketron and other members of the local delegation to the General Assembly to meet for discussion of Ketron's bill.

Earlier this month, Murfreesboro City Council passed resolutions opposing Ketron's bill and inviting AT&T to negotiate with the city for a video franchise. As reported yesterday by NashvillePost.com, AT&T has rejected similar offers from Metro Nashville.