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AHGA Letter to the Editor to Grand Rapids
Press
Competition Favors Consumers
Response to February 11, 2006 article, “Cable fee change would hurt viewers”
In your recent article, “Cable fee change would hurt viewers” the Grand
Rapids Free Press failed to address a few things as they relate to the
modernization of Michigan’s video franchise laws.
Whatever happened to the “customer knows best” philosophy? Michigan’s cable
consumers have endured mistreatment and ever increasing cable rates for
years. In the past five years, Grand Rapids cable customers have seen their
rates rise more than 30%. Michigan’s largest cable provider, Comcast, earned
J.D. Power and Associates’ worst score in last year’s customer survey.
Yet local government officials decry the very idea of the solution presented
by the Michigan state legislature – a reformed franchise fee system. Local
officials are more concerned about losing their power over cable companies
than they are about supporting legislation that would give Michigan’s cable
consumers a choice in service and ultimately lower prices.
Michigan is not alone in its attempt to update its outdated franchise laws.
Texas led the way last year, passing the country’s first statewide video
franchise system and a number of states are not far behind.
Michigan’s elected officials should take this opportunity to be a leader in
this country, being one of the first to update outdated regulations and for
once and for all to empower its consumers.
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