The legislature's finance committee has approved a cable franchise bill, advancing the legislation to the state Senate. Proponents argue the bill creates jobs and improves consumer choice. What little opposition there was on the Joint Finance Committee came from a couple of Madison Democrats. "It's been sold as a bill to advance competition, it's been sold as a bil that would create jobs. I think it does neither," said Sen. Mark Miller . "This (legislation) is not at all about being a representative of the people," said Rep. Mark Pocan . "This is about doing something directly for the special interests." Joining Miller and Pocan in voting no for the measure was Sen. Bob Jauch . The Poplar Democrats says the bill does nothing for rural Wisconsin. "We are throwing a million citizens to the wind . . . without any protection," said Jauch.
But Milwaukee Democrat, Rep. Pedro Colon , says the bill needs to advance. "It seems to me that the process has taken place," said Colon, noting that the bill was initially introduced months ago, and passed by the Assembly in April. "It was referred to this committee, and now it's up to the Senate figure it out."
The Joint Committee on Finance approved the so-called cable competition act on a 13-3 vote. Senate passage of the bill is likely.
