Cable Choice Legislation Introduced by Key House Leader

Cable Choice Legislation Introduced by Key House Leader

CONSUMERS FIRST! Applauds Bunt for Leadership on Cable Reform

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 5 /PRNewswire/ -- A key leader in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has introduced legislation (HB 2880) designed to give Keystone State consumers a choice of cable TV providers. Rep. Raymond Bunt, Jr., Majority Caucus Secretary in the House, introduced this important legislation with over 80 co-sponsors.

"We applaud Representative Bunt for his leadership on this important issue and look forward to working with him to lower cable prices for consumers in Pennsylvania," said David Wright, founder of CONSUMERS FIRST!. "His support is an important step towards the passage of this legislation," added Wright.

The companion Senate bill (SB 1247), the Cable Choice and Competition Act sponsored by Senator Pileggi, is also pending in the legislature. If enacted into law, the legislation would make it easier for new companies to enter the video-to-the-home business, thus benefiting consumers by helping open up the present cable TV monopoly to competition.

Current rules require would-be entrants into this market to obtain a "franchise," or permission to be in business, from each municipal government where they want to serve customers. The legislation endorsed by Rep. Bunt would provide for a statewide franchise, thereby streamlining the introduction of competition.

"Most Pennsylvanians have only one choice for wireline cable service," Rep. Bunt wrote in his letter to colleagues in which he urged them to co- sponsor the bill. "Not surprisingly, this lack of choice has resulted in annual and sharp price increases. National cable rates increased an average of 86% from 1994 to 2004 while consumer prices in general rose only 20% during that same time period."

Cable price increases in Pennsylvania mirrored this national trend, the Montgomery County legislator noted.

The only way to mitigate these rate increases is to introduce competition into the market, he said.

"The Cable Choice and Competition Act would do just that," Rep. Bunt said. "That is why it is so important to consumers throughout the state."

Source: CONSUMERS FIRST!

CONTACT: Allen Abney of CONSUMERS FIRST!, +1-202-572-6272

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