Consumers Win as Legislators Send Statewide Video Franchise Bill to Governor Blunt

JEFFERSON CITY, MO Consumers won big today as the Missouri General Assembly wrapped up one of this session’s most high-profile pieces of legislation by voting to create statewide competition in the video services market. Just one day after the Missouri House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a House substitute to Senate Bill 284 by a vote of 143 to 4, the Missouri Senate concurred with the House language and the bill now moves to Governor Matt Blunt who is expected to sign the legislation. Across the state, Missourians will soon begin to see major upgrades in high-speed, fiber-optic infrastructure as telecommunications companies begin to lay the foundations for new broadband networks which will compete with traditional cable networks.

Consumers scored a huge victory today, said MCA spokesman Todd Abrajano. The state legislature has opened the door to video competition. When the infrastructure is in place, consumers will benefit by having access to the newest, most innovative technologies, better service, and lower prices. Thousands of MCA supporters across Missouri asked General Assembly members for more choice in video service providers, and today, legislators let consumers know that their voices were heard.

When SB 284 takes effect, Missouri will join eleven other states across the country which have passed similar laws or regulations creating a statewide video franchise system. Those states have seen the addition of thousands of new quality jobs and billions of new dollars in state-of-the-art infrastructure investment.

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