Wisconsin legislators have fast-tracked a bill that would deregulate Wisconsin's cable TV industry, replacing franchises long awarded by local governments with state-issued ones. While the bill would
not apply to Milwaukee, which has its own pact with telecommunications and cable companies, supporters say the change would open up competition and befit consumers.
On the other side,
opponents say the new bill was basically written by AT&T, which has 15 lobbyists pushing it through. They add that it could pinch local public, education and government channels now paid for with
money cable companies give to local governments. "This is a direct gift to special interests," says Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan of Madison, who notes that in states with similar deregulation bills,
cable TV prices soon go "right back up."
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