Statement by Julius Hollis, Chairman of the Alliance for Equal Access

Statement by Julius Hollis, Chairman of the Alliance for Equal Access

ATLANTA, May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It was recently announced that the video franchise reform legislation, SB 1933/HB 1421, in the Tennessee Legislature, will not be taken up until the 2008 legislative session. Julius Hollis, Chairman of the Alliance for Equal Access, issued the following statement in response:

"The recent turn of events in the Tennessee Legislature is quite unfortunate for the state's consumers. The Alliance remains confident that Senate Bill 1933/House Bill 1421 would have brought much-needed video reform to the state, providing underserved communities with the opportunity to access new and cheaper video services. All consumers would have seen the benefits of competition and open access to new, cutting-edge technologies had the legislature put the best interest of their constituencies ahead of their own agendas.

Because of the special interests of the cable companies and municipalities, communities across the state will continue to be captive to high cable rates and poor service, with no likely investment coming to their neighborhoods anytime soon. It is disappointing that municipalities were behind the effort to block this legislation and keep the citizens of their communities from receiving the benefits of competition and video reform.

The Alliance applauds those members of the Tennessee Legislature who displayed great determination and faced down the special interests, and especially those Legislators who had the initial vision to bring the benefits of video reform to consumers of all walks of life.

Hopefully they will continue their progressive work during the next legislative session."

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE: The Alliance for Equal Access is a bipartisan consumer advocacy organization that serves as a leading voice for underserved communities on matters that pertain to information technology, telecommunications reform and product awareness. The Alliance was incorporated in the State of Georgia as a 501(c)4 non-profit corporation with a well-defined mission to facilitate and ensure "equal access" to technology that seeks to empower all communities.

Source: Alliance for Equal Access

CONTACT: BMaynard Scarborough of the Alliance for Equal Access,
+1-404-881-2905 or mscarborough@alfeaaccess.org

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