CFIF Encourages Governor Sonny Perdue to Sign Consumer Choice for Television Act Into Law

CFIF Encourages Governor Sonny Perdue to Sign Consumer Choice for Television Act Into Law

Free Market Group Foresees New Era of Competition in Cable TV Market

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following the Georgia House's lead, the state Senate last week overwhelmingly passed the Consumer Choice for Television Act, which, if signed into law, will result in long- overdue lower prices and more choices for cable TV consumers across the state. In response, the Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF), a national free market organization with more than 3,500 activists and supporters in Georgia, strongly encourages Governor Sonny Perdue to swiftly sign the crucial legislation into law. CFIF today released the following statement by its President, Jeffrey Mazzella:

"We applaud the General Assembly for overwhelmingly acting to encourage competition in a market that has for too long left Georgia's consumers with too few, if any, choices in their cable TV provider. The Consumer Choice for Television Act, which will reform the outdated franchise system, will empower Georgia consumers with their strongest weapon: choice in the marketplace. The result will be lower prices and better service across the board.

"The FCC estimates that cable rates have risen 93 percent in the last decade, while only nine percent of all Americans have true video choice. Those skyrocketing prices have hit Georgians particularly hard. Since 2002, consumers in Atlanta have been forced to endure a more than 25 percent cable rate hike. During that same time period, consumers in Athens have seen an increase of more than 59 percent. Likewise, cable rates in Augusta have increased between 31 and 45 percent and rates in Columbus are up between and 44 and 98 percent. Those rapid rate hikes are directly attributable to lack of choice in the marketplace.

"Consumers have had few options other than to pay these increases or forego television service. Now, the residents of Georgia will experience what has happened in other states where similar legislation has passed -- falling rates when competition enters the market. Moreover, consumers who don't like the prices, service or choices of one provider will be able to shop around and find another.

"Competition in any market leads to better products and services, lower prices and happier customers. On behalf of our more than 3,500 activists and supporters in Georgia, I congratulate the General Assembly for quickly passing this bill, which will bring competition and choice to all Georgia consumers. We urge Governor Perdue to swiftly pass this legislation into law."

Founded in 1998, the Center for Individual Freedom (http://www.cfif.org/) is a constitutional and free market advocacy organization with more than 250,000 supporters and activist nationwide, including more than 3,500 in Georgia.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Center for Individual Freedom

CONTACT: Jeffrey Mazzella of Center for Individual Freedom,
+1-703-535-5836

Web site:

http://www.cfif.org/

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