April 22, 2009

There were 4 posts published on April 22, 2009 (this is page 1 of 1).

Raleigh opposes H1252/S1004

Yesterday afternoon, Raleigh City Council passed a resolution opposing H1252/S1004, the so-called “Level Playing Field Act.” This opposition was mentioned prominently in today’s committee meeting, where I definitely think it swayed opinions.

Here’s the text of the opposition resolution:

A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CONCERN OF THE CITY OF RALEIGH ABOUT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION REGULATING GOVERNMENT PROVISION OF BROADBAND SERVICE AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE.

Whereas, Senate Bill 1004 and House Bill 1252, companion bills entitled The Level Playing Field Act, have been introduced in the 2009 Regular Session of the North Carolina General Assembly; and

Whereas, it is possible that the bills do not provide the level playing field implied in their titles for local governments versus private providers; and
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Buffett

Oh, more good news today: I scored two tickets to tomorrow night’s Jimmy Buffett concert … and Kelly scored a babysitter for us! This will be my or ninth Buffett show or thereabouts, though I’ve frankly lost count.

Can’t be there? Tune in on Radio Margaritaville

Between Buffett and the upcoming Elvis Costello and Dan Zanes shows, we’ll have seen more shows this year than during the rest of our marriage combined. Apparently it’s okay to still tour in a down economy!

Mr. Turner goes to Raleigh

The anti-municipal Internet bill written by Time Warner Cable and pushed by Ty Harrell has really pissed me off. We fought this battle two years ago but like the undead it keeps returning.

I’ve been spending my Copious Free Time participating any way I can in getting this defeated. The past two Wednesdays, I’ve spent my lunch break in the N.C. House Science and Technology Committee room, watching as Harrell and others pass this train-wreck legislation as quickly as possible. As last week’s meeting, six out of seven speakers opposed the bill, with the debate running so late the committee could not take a vote. The only speaker in favor was Time Warner Cable’s Brad Phillips, whose company effectively wrote the bill.
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N&O layoffs

I’ve long thought that Raleigh could use more community newspapers. I just never thought the News and Observer would become one.

A large number of N&O staffers had their last day yesterday. There were a lot of familiar names in the group that will be missed, but one I thought was particularly disappointing to see was the Take It Outside writer, Joe Miller. I’ve long maintained that the two things that keep me subscribing to the N&O are the columns of Barry Saunders and Joe Miller. Of them, I always thought Joe had one of the best jobs in the country.

I wish the laid-off reporters and writers well and hope I’ll see more of their work soon.