Local Government Groups Seek Overturn of FCC's Video Franchising Order

A coalition of local government and non-profit groups filed a formal petition asking the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to overturn the FCC's video franchising Order issued in March 2007.



The groups, which include the National League of Cities (NLC) and,the United States Conference of Mayors, argue that the FCC had no statutory authority, acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, and violated public notice requirements when it issued its Order. The coalition believes the FCC Video Franchising Order strips local governments of their authority to protect the public health, education, welfare and safety of local residents, in violation of the Cable Act. In addition, the groups worry about the potential for new video providers to limit their services only to higher-income consumers. http://www.nlc.org