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Enron Mail |
Allison and I had a good discussion with Boucher's telecom staffer/leg
counsel, Johanna Mikes. She hadn't heard the Enron/EBS story, so first provided that. We then discussed the specifics of the cable issue, and learned from Johanna the following: a) the bill will be introduced in Judiciary, not in Energy and Commerce b) this year's bill will not include any of the 251 sections which were contained in last year's legislation (and which I told her off-the-record would be a deal killer for Enron) She accepted our suggestions that the language as currently written covers only broadcasters, ie, those who already have some access to the cable platform. I suggested they include provisions that cable operators not discriminate against non-affiliated video programming and other ITV content, and further that they not discriminate against this type of content delivered via the internet. She accepted these suggestions. Boucher will now draft new language and share it with us. After we comment/sign-off, they'll approach Bob Goodlatte for co-sponsorship and buy-in. Disney and others will play high profile roles as well. Boucher very much wants Enron's support on this -- and given the openness with which our comments were received, as well as the fact that they will withdraw the damaging 251 clauses and make this a focused cable access bill, I would suggest you relay our full support and appreciation to Boucher when you see him next week. Steve
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