Following the FCC's December 20th move to make it harder for counties and municipalities to negotiate video franchises, Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County, Maryland filed these comments with the FCC, posted December 29th:

"The Maryland Counties filed comments in this proceeding on November 29, to emphasize the contributions of local cable franchising to the advancement of competition in the video marketplace and the complete lack of wisdom in attempting to impose additional federal regulation on the local franchising process. In light of the Commission's disappointing action on December 20, 2006, the Commission apperas unwilling to look at the facts and successful experience of local governments in acting to further competition. We are happy to share more information with the Commission when and if it would be useful to the Commission's consideration. However, further detailed comments appear to be of no use at the present. For the record, the Maryland Counties reffirm their criticism of the materials filed by Verizon, AT&T, BellSouth, and similar commenters, and remind the Commission that federal intrusions into the franchising process such as those apparenlty by the December 20 action are both bad policy and contrary to applicable law."

Comments of Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County, Maryland