Dear CMC Members;
We just received word that the Michigan House of Representatives is preparing to vote TODAY on the legislation that will take away local control of the public right-of-ways, and by extension the primary funding for Grand Rapids Community Media Center. The local community’s control of public Right of Ways provide the income for CMC to operate community voice platforms such as GRTV television channels, and help support the programming at WYCE and Wealthy Theatre.
Please consider reaching out to State Representatives to oppose this detrimental bill that is a threat to the community’s free speech platforms here at Community Media Center.
Below are talking points to use in making the case with your State Representatives.
And feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Linda Gellasch
GRCMC Executive Director
SB 637 JUST SAY “NO”
SIZE MATTERS:
- It's NOT the small pizza box promised: SB 637 allows more than 31 cubic feet of wireless equipment per pole per provider.
- Height: Not just 40 feet. Read with existing FCC rules and SB 637 fine print: Height reaches 55 feet.
- When 31cubic feet of equipment ends up on a 55 feet of pole in front of your home, this size issue will matter. A lot.
EMPTY PROMISES:
- The bill provides No Industry Obligation to DO ANYTHING. ANYWHERE. FOR ANYONE. EVER.
- The Bill is a grand giveaway in exchange for -0-
ONE GIVE AWAY LEADS TO ANOTHER. DIRECTLY.
- As a result of SB 637 and other legislation and FCC rules like it, Cable is now seeking the same ROW giveaway. FCC is poised to grant that request.
- Local Cost = $100 Mill Annually
$20/YEAR/INSTALLATION = 1% OF MARKET RATE IN STATES REJECTING SB 637:
- Cost to Locals = $100 Mill Annually
MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION ART 7 GRANTS LOCAL ROW GOVERNANCE TO LOCALS.
- Not Telecom. Not the State. Not the FCC. This legislation guarantees one thing: years of litigation and uncertainty.
FCC PREEMPTED THIS AREA OF LAW ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2018:
- SB 637 is therefore unnecessary, already preempted and if passed, will add 30 more pages to a second layer of bureaucracy.
