What should I know about the new telecommunications law? How will it affect my county? What steps can I take to prepare for the changes it will bring? Many county officials are asking themselves these questions in the wake of passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Luckily, NACo has the answers and will provide them during a national satellite broadcast titled, “Counties and the New Telecommunications Law.” It takes place on June 12 from 1–3 p.m. Eastern Time.
In Part I of the broadcast, Doug Bovin, NACo president and Delta County (Mich.) commissioner will provide a brief overview of the pivotal role counties play in bringing telecommunications directly to citizens.
NACo Executive Director Larry Naake will explain how NACo helped to push telecommunications legislation through Congress. Finally, Public Technology, Inc. President Costis Toregas will describe how recent changes in the telecommunications industry have affected the lives of citizens and the role of county governments.
In Part II, a panel of telecommunications experts will offer insights on the provisions of the new law that directly concern counties. Nick Miller, partner at Miller, Canfield, Stone and Paddock, a telecommunications legal firm, will explain how this legislation will change the way counties manage the public property (public rights of way) used by the telecommunications industries.
Montgomery County (Md.) Councilmember Marilyn Praisner describes how the new act will affect the authority of local governments to control the zoning and placement of cellular towers. Following this, John Pastel, county attorney for Kent County, Mich., will examine how the new legislation modifies the basic cable law and how it relates to local enforcement of this statute. The panelists will discuss these issues with the moderator and take call-in and fax-in questions from sites.
After a brief break, the final part of the broadcast will concentrate on how counties can maximize the benefits and minimize the costs of complying with the new law.
Clark County (Nev.) Assistant Manager Jim Ley will answer questions concerning the new revenue sources that may become available to counties as a result of the new law.
Sally Southard, commissioner, Butler County, Ohio, will discuss the new and improved services that counties will able to deliver. Jane Gerdeman of Telecom Planners will explain the importance of assessing and amending county ordinances in developing a cohesive county telecommunications plan.
Mickey Hackenburger, chief lobbyist for the Colorado Association of Counties, will focus on ways counties can become more influential in passing state laws more favorable to their interests. Following this discussion, audience members will have a chance to call-in or fax-in questions to this group as well.
(For more information on the broadcast, please call Lois Kampinsky at 202/942-4267 or John Bonkowski at 202/942-4216.)