Breakfast Meeting Regarding Cable Bill, October 4, 1992

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3 Pages

File Name (Dublin Core)

lead_404_039_all

Title (Dublin Core)

Breakfast Meeting Regarding Cable Bill, October 4, 1992

Date (Dublin Core)

1992-10-04

Date Created (Dublin Core)

1992-10-04

Congress (Dublin Core)

102nd (1991-1993)

Policy Area (Curation)

Science, Technology, Communications

Creator (Dublin Core)

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Record Type (Dublin Core)

attendance lists

newspaper clippings

Rights (Dublin Core)

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Language (Dublin Core)

eng

Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core)

https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=26&q=

Physical Location (Dublin Core)

Collection 007, Box 404, Folder 39

Institution (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Archival Collection (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996

Full Text (Extract Text)

Page 1:
BOB DOLE
KANSAS

United States Senate
OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADER
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-7020

Senator:
Sunday, October 4 - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast in the residence at the White House with the following:

President
Dole (handwritten: Y)
Simpson (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Roth (dot drawn by name; handwritten: NO)
Domenici (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Warner (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Durenberger (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Jeffords (handwritten: Y)
McConnell (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Cochran (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Kassebaum (dot drawn by name; handwritten: NO)

Handwritten names:
Thurmond (dot drawn by name; NO)
Burns Y

They would like for you to arrive at 8:15 a.m. - NW gate - go the north portico - breakfast will be for one hour - All of the above Senators have not confirmed as of 6:45 p.m.

Joyce

Handwritten notes on page:
Oct 5
9
74
25
1 Present
34
25
9

Page 2:
The Washington Times SECTION C
MONEY
(image of house with “DOW JONES UP 25.9 Stocks on C4” written inside)

Cable bill unlikely to decrease costs
By Kent Gibbons
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Cable TV subscribers in Fairfax County might see rates rolled back and their counterparts in the District might be less likely to miss work waiting for the cable installer to show up.

Those are some of the short-term benefits seen locally for cable television viewers if a bill regulating the cable industry withstands an expected veto this week by President Bush.

Don't expect monthly charges to shrink any time soon - if ever - because of the cable measure. But the legislation could lead to some savings for viewers as local communities use new powers to regulate some rates and mandate customer-service standards.

Not even ardent backers claim the legislation will immediately lead to lower rates. "It will control rate increases," said William Cook, a lawyer at Arnold & Porter in the District, representing several organizations behind the law. "I don't necessarily think it's going to mean lower cable bills."

But, over time, there could be savings.

For example, cable companies would have to make it easier for subscribers to use their own remote-control device instead of renting one to operate the cable operator's equipment. "That in itself would be about a $3 reduction in your monthly bill," said John Askew Sr., head of Prince George's County's cable TV commission.

The proposed law would also tell the Federal Communications Commission to

set rules governing customer service, and would let communities adopt their own standards.

The District is already working on a proposal dealing with one of the main headaches associated with cable service.

The city wants to adopt service rules that would force District Cablevision to give a customer free installation and a free month's cable service if the company fails to show up within five hours of a scheduled installation time. Other credits would be given for service outages and improper termination. The rules are scheduled to be issued before the end of the year, said Pam Taylor, executive director of the city's Office of Cable Television.

"Without the legislation, we would have spent a lot of time in court" defend-

ing the new rules, she said.

Cable companies say there will be no savings if the bill passes. In fact, they say parts of the legislation would raise their costs, and thus would increase monthly bills.

Most expensive, they say, is the provision that would let broadcasters negotiate for money or other compensation for letting cable operators carry their programming. The networks, for example, could insist on getting paid for what cable companies now show for free.

"I don't think there's any question but that rates will be forced up," said Richard Carlton, executive director of the Virginia Cable Television Association.

Supporters of the legislation argue

see CABLE, page C3

CABLE
From page C1

that broadcasters need the audiences that cable systems deliver, and thus are limited in how much they can demand in compensation. Instead of money, they may ask for a better spot on the cable channel lineup, or try to combine some operations, such as local news, with the cable operators to cut costs, Mr. Cook said.

The legislation would not give the federal government or local municipalities a say over all cable rates. Basic rates, which cover a stripped-down selection of broadcast stations and ones carrying government meetings, would be regulated.

Whether even those rates are challenged, though, depends on what the FCC decides is "reason- able" to charge. In some communities, the cable system offers a relatively cheap basic service that local officials think would hold up to scrutiny.

Cable TV Montgomery, for example, sells a 32-channel basic for $7.41 per month. That rate is "pretty darn reasonable," said Bob Hunnicutt, executive staff specialist in the county's consumer affairs office.

In other areas, the basic rate could come under challenge.

Thomas Robinson, chief of Fair- fax County's cable regulatory division, said Media General of Fairfax's $11.95, 30-channel basic rate might become a target. "We've had enough complaints about rates that we're

certainly going to look at them," he said.

Thomas Waldrop, chairman and chief executive of Media General of Fairfax, said he was confident the $11.95 package would meet whatever the test of "reasonable" is. Further, he said he would look to raise rates next year, and said the $320 million cost to build the Fairfax sys-

tem kept his company from turning an operating profit until last year.

"The truth of the matter is that most of this industry is not making money because of the enormous amount of capital that they've had to put in place to get the systems built," Mr. Waldrop said. "Regulated or not regulated, you're going to look at rate increases."

Chart on page:
CABLE RATES RISE
Across the country, cable TV rates have risen about 60 percent since they were deregulated in 1986. In some cases, the higher cost includes additional channels. Here’s what happened with some local cable systems:
Washington District Cablevision Inc.
1987 - $16.90, expanded basic, 54 channels
1992 - $22.95, expanded basic, 54 channels
Virginia Jones Intercable, Alexandria
1986 - $11, basic, 36 channels*
1992 - $23.45, expanded basic, 44 channels
Cable TV Arlington, Arlington
1986 - $14.20, basic
1992 - $25.95, expanded basic, 50 channels
Media General of Fairfax, Fairfax County
1986 - $11.36, expanded basic, 81 channels
1992 - $25.95, expanded basic, 87 channels
Maryland Frederick Cablevision, Frederick
1986 - $10.75, expanded basic, 30 channels
1992 - $17.45, expanded basic, 44 channels
Cable TV Montgomery, Montgomery County
1987 - $14.95, basic, 45 channels
1992 - $26.04, expanded basic, 59 channels
Multivision Cable TV, Prince George’s County
1986 - $11.95, basic
1992 - $23.95, basic, 60 channels
Metrovision of Prince George’s County
1986 - $10.95, basic
1992 - $19.95, expanded basic, 62 channels
*by Tribune Cable of Alexandria
Sources: National Association of Broadcasters, Washington Times research

The Washington Times

Page 3:
BOB DOLE
KANSAS

United States Senate
OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADER
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-7020

Senator:
Sunday, October 4 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast in the residence at the White House with the following:

President
Dole
Simpson
Roth
Domenici
Warner
Durenberger
Jeffords
McConnell
Cochran
Kassebaum

They would like for you to arrive at 8:15 a.m. - NW gate - go the north portico - breakfast will be for one hour - All of the above Senators have not confirmed as of 6:45 p.m.

Joyce

Handwritten on page:
Burns?
Ask what
Page 1:
BOB DOLE
KANSAS

United States Senate
OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADER
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-7020

Senator:
Sunday, October 4 - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast in the residence at the White House with the following:

President
Dole (handwritten: Y)
Simpson (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Roth (dot drawn by name; handwritten: NO)
Domenici (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Warner (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Durenberger (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Jeffords (handwritten: Y)
McConnell (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Cochran (dot drawn by name; handwritten: Y)
Kassebaum (dot drawn by name; handwritten: NO)

Handwritten names:
Thurmond (dot drawn by name; NO)
Burns Y

They would like for you to arrive at 8:15 a.m. - NW gate - go the north portico - breakfast will be for one hour - All of the above Senators have not confirmed as of 6:45 p.m.

Joyce

Handwritten notes on page:
Oct 5
9
74
25
1 Present
34
25
9

Page 2:
The Washington Times SECTION C
MONEY
(image of house with "DOW JONES UP 25.9 Stocks on C4" written inside)

Cable bill unlikely to decrease costs
By Kent Gibbons
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Cable TV subscribers in Fairfax County might see rates rolled back and their counterparts in the District might be less likely to miss work waiting for the cable installer to show up.

Those are some of the short-term benefits seen locally for cable television viewers if a bill regulating the cable industry withstands an expected veto this week by President Bush.

Don't expect monthly charges to shrink any time soon - if ever - because of the cable measure. But the legislation could lead to some savings for viewers as local communities use new powers to regulate some rates and mandate customer-service standards.

Not even ardent backers claim the legislation will immediately lead to lower rates. "It will control rate increases," said William Cook, a lawyer at Arnold & Porter in the District, representing several organizations behind the law. "I don't necessarily think it's going to mean lower cable bills."

But, over time, there could be savings.

For example, cable companies would have to make it easier for subscribers to use their own remote-control device instead of renting one to operate the cable operator's equipment. "That in itself would be about a $3 reduction in your monthly bill," said John Askew Sr., head of Prince George's County's cable TV commission.

The proposed law would also tell the Federal Communications Commission to

set rules governing customer service, and would let communities adopt their own standards.

The District is already working on a proposal dealing with one of the main headaches associated with cable service.

The city wants to adopt service rules that would force District Cablevision to give a customer free installation and a free month's cable service if the company fails to show up within five hours of a scheduled installation time. Other credits would be given for service outages and improper termination. The rules are scheduled to be issued before the end of the year, said Pam Taylor, executive director of the city's Office of Cable Television.

"Without the legislation, we would have spent a lot of time in court" defend-

ing the new rules, she said.

Cable companies say there will be no savings if the bill passes. In fact, they say parts of the legislation would raise their costs, and thus would increase monthly bills.

Most expensive, they say, is the provision that would let broadcasters negotiate for money or other compensation for letting cable operators carry their programming. The networks, for example, could insist on getting paid for what cable companies now show for free.

"I don't think there's any question but that rates will be forced up," said Richard Carlton, executive director of the Virginia Cable Television Association.

Supporters of the legislation argue

see CABLE, page C3

CABLE
From page C1

that broadcasters need the audiences that cable systems deliver, and thus are limited in how much they can demand in compensation. Instead of money, they may ask for a better spot on the cable channel lineup, or try to combine some operations, such as local news, with the cable operators to cut costs, Mr. Cook said.

The legislation would not give the federal government or local municipalities a say over all cable rates. Basic rates, which cover a stripped-down selection of broadcast stations and ones carrying government meetings, would be regulated.

Whether even those rates are challenged, though, depends on what the FCC decides is "reason- able" to charge. In some communities, the cable system offers a relatively cheap basic service that local officials think would hold up to scrutiny.

Cable TV Montgomery, for example, sells a 32-channel basic for $7.41 per month. That rate is "pretty darn reasonable," said Bob Hunnicutt, executive staff specialist in the county's consumer affairs office.

In other areas, the basic rate could come under challenge.

Thomas Robinson, chief of Fair- fax County's cable regulatory division, said Media General of Fairfax's $11.95, 30-channel basic rate might become a target. "We've had enough complaints about rates that we're

certainly going to look at them," he said.

Thomas Waldrop, chairman and chief executive of Media General of Fairfax, said he was confident the $11.95 package would meet whatever the test of "reasonable" is. Further, he said he would look to raise rates next year, and said the $320 million cost to build the Fairfax sys-

tem kept his company from turning an operating profit until last year.

"The truth of the matter is that most of this industry is not making money because of the enormous amount of capital that they've had to put in place to get the systems built," Mr. Waldrop said. "Regulated or not regulated, you're going to look at rate increases."

Chart on page:
CABLE RATES RISE
Across the country, cable TV rates have risen about 60 percent since they were deregulated in 1986. In some cases, the higher cost includes additional channels. Here's what happened with some local cable systems:
Washington
District Cablevision Inc.
1987 - $16.90, expanded basic, 54 channels
1992 - $22.95, expanded basic, 54 channels
Virginia
Jones Intercable, Alexandria
1986 - $11, basic, 36 channels*
1992 - $23.45, expanded basic, 44 channels

Cable TV Arlington, Arlington
1986 - $14.20, basic
1992 - $25.95, expanded basic, 50 channels

Media General of Fairfax, Fairfax County
1986 - $11.36, expanded basic, 81 channels
1992 - $25.95, expanded basic, 87 channels
Maryland
Frederick Cablevision, Frederick
1986 - $10.75, expanded basic, 30 channels
1992 - $17.45, expanded basic, 44 channels

Cable TV Montgomery, Montgomery County
1987 - $14.95, basic, 45 channels
1992 - $26.04, expanded basic, 59 channels

Multivision Cable TV, Prince George's County
1986 - $11.95, basic
1992 - $23.95, basic, 60 channels

Metrovision of Prince George's County
1986 - $10.95, basic
1992 - $19.95, expanded basic, 62 channels
*by Tribune Cable of Alexandria
Sources: National Association of Broadcasters, Washington Times research

The Washington Times

Page 3:
BOB DOLE
KANSAS

United States Senate
OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADER
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-7020

Senator:
Sunday, October 4 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast in the residence at the White House with the following:

President
Dole
Simpson
Roth
Domenici
Warner
Durenberger
Jeffords
McConnell
Cochran
Kassebaum

They would like for you to arrive at 8:15 a.m. - NW gate - go the north portico - breakfast will be for one hour - All of the above Senators have not confirmed as of 6:45 p.m.

Joyce

Handwritten on page:
Burns?
Ask what