Betsy Huber, PA
State Grange President, is asking Sen. Arlen Specter to
support the Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunity
Reform Act.
Huber sent a
letter to Sen. Specter August 9, 2006 asking for his
support in this important bill. "This update of U.S.
communications law will benefit rural Pennsylvania by
bringing competition into the cable industry," Huber
wrote. She continued by saying that, "It will simplify
the maze of franchise negotiations between video service
providers and the multitude of municipalities in
Pennsylvania."
The PA State
Grange, the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy
organization of its kind in the Commonwealth, has had a
policy for years supporting 100% broadband
deployment across the state.
Broadband
deployment in our rural areas has consistently been
behind that in urban and suburban areas. Huber's letter
stated, "The proposed Act would create a separate
broadband fund to speed the deployment of broadband
services to rural areas."
Sen. Santorum had
previously indicated his support for this Act.
The Grange is a
family fraternal organization dedicated to the
betterment of rural America through community service,
education, legislation and fellowship. The Grange
includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers
(ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-23), Young Adults
(ages 21-35), and Regular Community (Local) Grange
members (age 14 and up). The Grange represents
approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the
Commonwealth. It is the oldest agricultural and rural
organization of its kind in the United States.
The National
Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about
300,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange
was chartered in 1873.
Master Huber's letter follows in its entirety
August 9, 2006
The Honorable
Arlen Specter
711 Hart Senate
Office Building
Washington DC
20510
Dear Senator
Specter:
On behalf of the
16,000 members of the Pennsylvania State Grange, I am
writing in support of the Advanced Telecommunications
and Opportunity Reform Act.
This update of
U.S. communications law will benefit rural
Pennsylvanians by bringing competition into the cable
television industry. It will simplify the maze of
franchise negotiations between video service providers
and the multitude of municipalities in Pennsylvania. On
a personal note, my own township has been in contract
negotiations with our two cable TV providers for four
years and we still have not reached agreement on terms.
Fortunately, service to our residents is continuing
under the old contracts but this is an example of the
time involved in resolving individual contract issues.
The Universal
Service Fund system needs reform to broaden the base of
contributors and prevent further erosion of this
important fund. The proposed Act would create a
separate broadband fund to speed the deployment of
broadband services to rural areas.
As the National
Grange stated, “The high speed telecommunications
infrastructure that would be deployed following passage
of national video franchise reform would give rural
consumers price relief, expanded programming choices and
access to new products and services that are only
available through high-speed broadband.”
We ask for your
support of the Advanced Telecommunications and
Opportunity Reform Act. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Betsy E. Huber
President