SB 117, Ohio's "state video franchising reform" bill is yet another business friendly scheme borrowed from Michigan.  A previous effort was the successful "buying" of (through illegally funded "issue ads") a business friendly supreme court.  This time telco giants are spending large amounts of money through their phony "astroturf" front groups to advertise and lobby to "buy" legislation favorable to their shareholders, with no regard for their obligation to provide diversity of information and service to all of the people.

SB117 would take away long standing local control of "cable franchises" to establish service standards and provide funding for public, educational and government (PEG) access channels.  Whether communities will retain public access channels will depend upon a "use it or lose it standard," rather than having it available for communities to use when they need it.  Control will now go to the state level Ohio Department of Commerce which promotes commerce not the public interest.  With no oversight these giant corporate interests will be able to redline services, and erode "Home Rule" protections of municipalities.