Number
010678
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. GORDON
Title
Substitute resolution supporting pending federal legislation, H.R. 1542, the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 2001, and directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby for its passage.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee's support for H. R. 1542, the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 2001, federal legislation currently pending in the 107th Congress, and directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby the City's United States Congressional delegation for passage of this proposed legislation.
Body
Whereas, Access to high-speed Internet connections is crucial in today's economy;
Whereas, Rapid deployment of broadband services will lead to economic development opportunities and help our community and state remain in the Information Age; and
Whereas, Access to high-speed Internet services will allow consumers to obtain improved services, educational opportunities and enhanced communications abilities for use at home and at work; and
Whereas, Different providers of high-speed services are subject to different federal rules and regulations; and
Whereas, Cable companies, which currently control 70% of the market for high- speed services through cable modems, face no state or federal regulation of their service; and
Whereas, Telecommunications companies, which serve less than 30% of the high-speed market through Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service, face heavy regulation on the state and federal levels that makes it more difficult and more expensive for them to deploy and operate DSL; and
Whereas, The overly burdensome and unequal regulations faced by DSL providers inevitably result in fewer choices, higher prices and less innovation for customers; and
Whereas, Passage of federal legislation, H. R. 1542, the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 2001,would ensure that cable, satellite, wireless and telephone companies providing high-speed access to the Internet would all be governed by the same rules and regulations and ensure fair competition; and
Whereas, Passage of H. R. 1542 would require telephone companies to upgrade 100% of their central offices to provide high-speed service, and therefore, guarantee that inner cities, small towns and rural areas will not be left behind;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee expresses its support for H. R. 1542, the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 2001, federal legislation currently pending in the 107th Congress, sponsored by Representatives Tauzin and Dingell, to bring about fair competition for high-speed Internet services, increase access to these services for communities and rural areas throughout Wisconsin and spur technological growth and innovation throughout the country; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby the City's United States Congressional delegation for passage of this proposed legislation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall forward certified copies of this resolution to the City's United States Congressional delegation.
Drafter
TWM/rk
LRB 01394-2
9/5/2001