After a year of examination of nonprofit community media policies, finances, and operations in a study initiated by a Special Act of the State of CT Legislature, we anticipated solutions to serve you better. On March 7th, House Bill 5446 was raised for consideration by the leadership of the Energy & Tech Committee. It represented the potential of a transformative outcome. The Commissioner of PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) and OCC (Office of Consumer Council) testified in support. Representative Mushinsky of Wallingford, on the E&T committee, is prepared to add administrative cost-saving modifications on behalf of taxpayers. These changes would simplify annual administrative procedures in a few State of CT Depts and improve the sustainability of nonprofit Community Media, large & small. Unfortunately, the gateway to fair and equitable digital literacy, government transparency, and sustaining community media is ‘tax reform’. Tax is a four-letter word in the world of politics. On 3.21.24 we will know if we made it past the committee process.
Here is the story of WPAA-TV and Community Media Center as told by its volunteer Executive Director Susan Adele Huizenga. She believed that investing in community media could make a difference in a community and the lives of its people. If the state law is updated to ensure the obligations of “Connectivity” companies are kept, community media can contribute to making Connecticut
a place where all families can find hope & opportunity.
Governor Ned Lamont
We appreciate the dozens of people who signed the petition started by our peers when we expected opposition, but not a battle inside the E & T committee. A direct, less public, writing campaign is in process. Please keep it going. Thank you. Less public, but truly helpful. We appreciate U and all that shared good words over the years.
Everyone deserves a 21st-century Connecticut grounded in digital equity. HB5446 provides the residents of CT with an exceptional opportunity to achieve digital equity with tax reform targeting ‘Connectivity’ companies. It will help them achieve their obligations for the use of rights of municipal rights of way.
This is the story of a dedicated volunteer who invested her resources to prove that investing in community media can make a difference every day in the health of a community. Fourteen years ago the nonprofit considered closing. Now they own a building renovated by volunteers. For four of the past five years, WPAA-TV and Community Media Center have been recognized for Overall Excellence. In 2023 it was the most awarded community media center in New England.
What a local Community Television Station can do to make a difference remains limitless.
Support Letter Needed Today
Dear Members of the Energy & Technology Committee
Everyone deserves a 21st-century Connecticut grounded in digital equity. HB5446 provides the residents of CT with an exceptional opportunity to achieve digital equity with tax reform targeting ‘Connectivity’ companies. It will help them achieve their obligations for the use of rights of municipal rights of way.
I support HB5446 and the suggestions requested by Rep. Mary Mushinsky.
Complete your letter with personal testimony such as the following:
1) In (Your Town), our community media station provides …
2) My Community Media experience has been —
3) Why didn’t I know places like this exist. Now that I know I want to …
4) When I watch videos created by my neighbors I discover what I did not know I needed.
ACTION
Email Members of the Energy & Technology Committee & Governor
Jonathan.Steinberg@cga.ct.gov; Jaime.Foster@cga.ct.gov; Bill.Buckbee@housegop.ct.gov; Raghib.Allie-Brennan@cga.ct.gov; mike.demicco@cga.ct.gov; Ryan.Fazio@Cga.Ct.Gov; Douglas.Mccrory@Cga.Ct.Gov; Norm.Needleman@cga.ct.gov; ceci.maher@cga.ct.gov; James.Maroney@Cga.Ct.Gov; Jorge.Cabrera@Cga.Ct.Gov; Holly.Cheeseman@housegop.ct.gov; Charles.Ferraro@housegop.ct.gov; Maria.Horn@cga.ct.gov; Stephen.Meskers@cga.ct.gov; Mary.Mushinsky@cga.ct.gov; Peter.Tercyak@cga.ct.gov; John.Piscopo@housegop.ct.gov; Joseph.Gresko@cga.ct.gov; tim.ackert@cga.ct.gov
Suggestion:
Copy your local State Senator & Representative and Municipal leaders.
Find them here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp