I would like to thank U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch for making Vermont the only state in which its entire congressional delegation has co-sponsored the Protecting Community Television Act introduced by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (Massachusetts) and U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (California) as S.3361 and HR.6219.
The Federal Communications Commission is attempting to redefine franchise fees principles that have been in place since 1984. Without this legislation, the FCC will radically reduce the level of monetary support available to run public, educational, and governmental (PEG) access channels across the United States.
Community access television stations, like Brattleboro Community Television (BCTV), connect us to our communities, catalyze civic engagement, and keep us up to date on the local issues and activities that affect our lives.
Please join with me in commending the Vermont congressional delegation's acknowledgement of the vital need for preserving local information and communication needs.