On Friday afternoon, the CAN TV funding ordinance involving the state franchise that preivously went from good to okay has now somehow gone from okay to just horrible. (It'd be great to know this happened; we'd love to know how our tax dollars are being spent.)

A dispatch from CAN TV is posted below. Read 'em and weep (and stay tuned to CMA for further developments on this neverending story).

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We recently asked you to urge support of the Stone/Burke ordinance to fund CAN TV as a first step toward resolving one of the two funding issues facing the organization.

THAT ORDINANCE HAS NOW BEEN CHANGED IN WAYS THAT ARE HARMFUL TO THE FUTURE STABILITY OF CAN TV AND DOES NOT RESOLVE EITHER FUNDING ISSUE.

We've informed the City that we oppose this version of the ordinance. We don't know if it will be introduced or held for further consideration at Monday's meeting.

If the ordinance passes in its current form:

* The ordinance provides no adequate funding solution for CAN TV.
* The 1% PEG fee from all state holders except for AT&T will go to the City.
* Current funding support from Comcast, RCN and WideOpenWest will go to the City should those companies opt into state franchises.

The 3/16/09 meeting will be held at 10am, City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., 2nd floor, City Council Chambers.

CAN TV | 312.738.1400 | www.cantv.org | info@cantv.org

UPDATE: The ordinance passed, and it wasn't pretty to watch. Read all about it.

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