What They're Saying

Lowell Sun: Task force formed to study controversial bill
By Hillary Chabot, Lowell Sun | June 4, 2007

BOSTON -- As opposing forces grow against a bill meant to trigger lower cable-television costs, Sen. Steve Panagiotakos moved to create a task force to study the bill.

Panagiotakos, who filed the bill this year, said the task force would address the public lobbying taking place on both sides of the issue and report their findings in 90 days.

The bill seeks to streamline the permitting process for cable providers to set up in local communities. The bill would cut the negotiation time to 15 days, but municipal leaders feel the proposal takes away their negotiating power for reimbursement and public access channels.

Corporate lobbyists and public-interest groups on both sides of the issue have been loudly debating the bill, and both sides planned on attending a public hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

"I still think the bill is a good strong piece of legislation, but given the dialogue that's out there I think it's important to get a deliberate appraisal of the situation," Panagiotakos said.

The Lowell Democrat plans on sending a letter to the legislative Telecommunications Committee today asking them to hold hearings on the issue, speak with local leaders, and report back in September.

"If we're serious about passing a good piece of legislation it needs to be vetted in a more intensive form," Panagiotakos said.

Massachusetts Municipal Association director Geoffrey Beckwith said he supports the idea of a task force, but he would not support passage of the current bill in any form.