NATOA and ACM Issue Call to Action: Help Pass the CAP Act Now!

NATOA and ACM issued this call to action today on the proposed "CAP Act."

JOINT NATOA and ACM CALL TO ACTION!

Help Pass the CAP Act Now!

Dear Members:

We need rapid action on the CAP Act legislation introduced on October 8 by Representative Tammy Baldwin (HR 3745). We urge you to take these steps as quickly as possible:

1. Have your local government:

· Adopt a resolution supporting the legislation; forward that resolution and a letter of support to your Congressional delegation. Request that your Congressional member support, and, if possible, become a co-sponsor of the legislation (see sample resolution below);

· Urge the state and local municipal groups to which it belongs (communities are often members of the National League of Cities, the US Conference of Mayors, or the National Association of Counties, and state leagues) to support the bill; and

· Distribute the legislation, the summary description, and the section-by-section analysis to other communities via listservs, and urge other communities to also support it. The bill, summary, and section-by-section analysis can be found at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=E7doxNaLg%2FWjK%2BLmMLwutP6OO30vFsa2.

2. If a non-profit organization manages PEG channels in your community, have its Board:

· Send a letter to your Congressional delegation (copied to Rep. Tammy Baldwin and to you) emphasizing the importance of preserving PEG channels (sample letters can be found at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2Fw2TC6zSCb8QMXRyGdU5bNWCpaoByoHf;

· If the non-profit is able to endorse the legislation, encourage it to do so by resolution, and to send that resolution to your local government, to the Congressional delegation, and to Representative Baldwin.

3. Encourage individuals and organizations that use PEG channels and access centers to:

· Send a letter to the local government, any non-profit that manages the PEG channels the organization or individual uses, and your Congressional delegation (copied to Rep. Tammy Baldwin and to you) emphasizing the importance of preserving PEG channels; and

· If the non-profits feel comfortable with endorsing the legislation, ask them to do so; see above.

Please let NATOA and the ACM know what has been done, and forward copies of letters/resolutions, etc. to both Rob McCausland, rmccausland@alliancecm.org and Matt Johnson, mjohnson@hq.natoa.org. If you need additional briefing materials or want to volunteer, join or contribute to this important campaign, let us know ASAP by phone, email, or website: 202-393-2650, hsoule@alliancecm.org, http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=mQs08SVaLD4hjmP%2FbRCknxA9q4jTjN9E

Keep Us Connected!

Helen Soule Tonya Rideout
Executive Director Acting Executive Director
ACM NATOA

POSSIBLE MODEL RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, public, educational and government (PEG) channels play a significant role in [NAME OF COMMUNITY];

WHEREAS, PEG channels are a unique and valuable resource for local information and discourse for the residents of [NAME OF COMMUNITY]; and

WHEREAS, PEG channels televise local government meetings, including city council, planning commission, county board and school board meetings, so that citizens are informed about the actions taken by local elected officials; and

WHEREAS, PEG channels contribute to the democratic process by providing opportunities for candidates and others, such as the League of Women Voters, to discuss local issues during election campaigns; and

WHEREAS, PEG channels provide a window through which residents can view the diversity of cultures, recreational activities and artistic endeavors in their local community; and

WHEREAS, PEG channels reflect the unique identity of the communities they serve; and

WHEREAS, it is important to preserve PEG channels and funding for PEG channels, and to ensure that the channels continue to be available to the entire community to serve the residents of [NAME OF COMMUNITY]; and

WHEREAS, HR 3745, the Community Access Preservation Act, addresses critical and immediate threats to PEG.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

The [NAME OF BODY ADOPTING THE RESOLUTION] supports immediate passage of HR 3745; and

The [NAME OF BODY] calls on our Congressional delegation to take all possible actions in support of the passage of HR 3745, including but not limited to endorsing, co-sponsoring and voting for HR 3745, and to work for its rapid passage.