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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | ONE PARKWAY CENTER, #212 |
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City | PITTSBURGH |
State | PA |
Zip Code | 15220 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 54528-12
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6. House ID# 349900000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2009 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date | |
11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: Matthew M. Polka, President and CEO |
Date | 07/20/2009 |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code COM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Please see the addendum attached for the full text of COM issues covered.
With regards to the 2009 reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Act, the ACA urged members of Congress to preserve the competitive balance of the pay television market by concurrently granting cable operators any new rights that are granted to satellite TV providers.
The ACA lobbied Congress in support of legislation that ensures consumers may receive access to in-state broadcast signals that they may not currently receive from their cable and satellite providers due to retransmission consent and exclusivity rules.
The ACA informed members of Congress that the group filed comments with the NTIA and RUS regarding the American Recovery and Reinvest Act of 2009 Broadband Initiatives (Docket No. 090309298-9299-01) and the FCC regarding the Commissions Consultative Role in the Broadband Provisions of the Recovery Act (GN Docket No. 09-40). In its filing, the association urged the agencies to adopt rules that allow small and medium-sized operators to receive funds to build middle mile infrastructure. It also recommended that the agencies have a streamlined application process for applicants who are deemed smaller entities.
The ACA notified members of Congress that the group filed comments with the OMB regarding the 70/70 cable subscribership survey (Control Number 3060-XXXX) urging the agency to find the FCCs proposed survey violates the Paperwork Reduction Act.
The ACA alerted Congress that the group filed comments with the FCC regarding the Report on Rural Broadband Strategy (GN Docket No. 09-29) urging the Commission to recommend a plan that includes Federal grant and loan programs that allow operators serving smaller markets and rural areas to apply for and receive money for last-mile and middle-mile projects. Moreover, the group recommended that these programs have an application process that (i) is streamlined for applicants who are small and medium-sized operators or those requesting relatively minimal funding; (ii) is open and transparent; and (iii) gives weight to existing entities that have financial, managerial, operational, and technical experience running broadband networks in smaller markets and rural areas.
The ACA notified Congress that the group filed comments with the FCC regarding the Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming (MB Docket No. 07-269). In its filing, the association included a survey of its members that demonstrated that small and medium sized operators and their customers suffer harm due to the enormous leverage that the broadcasters have in retransmission consent negotiations.
The ACA alerted members of Congress that the group filed comments with the FCC regarding a National Broadband Plan for our Future (GN Docket No. 0951). In its filing, the group highlighted the need of broadband providers to have non-discriminatory access to all web-based content and services at reasonable rates, terms, and conditions. The association also brought to light the need for broadband operators to have non-discriminatory access to both middle mile infrastructure and pole attachments at reasonable rates, terms, and conditions. The ACA raised other suggestions that the Commission should take to enable the nationwide availability of reliable, high-speed Internet access at reasonable prices.
The ACA informed Congress that the group filed comments with the FCC regarding the Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2009 (MD Docket No. 09-65). In its filing, the group urged the Commission to freeze key regulatory fees at current levels for small cable operators because it would allow these providers to dedicate scarce resources to broadband deployment in their local communities.
The ACA told members of Congress that the group opposed the Broadband Internet Fairness Act (H.R. 2902) because it would have a chilling effect on broadband operators offering consumption-based billing plans that give consumers ultimate control over how much they spend each month for their Internet access.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Commerce - Dept of (DOC)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Ross |
Lieberman |
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Matthew |
Polka |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code CPT
16. Specific lobbying issues
Please see the addendum attached for the full text of CPT issues covered.
As part of the 2009 reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Act, the ACA urged members of Congress to consider adopting the following changes to the Cable Compulsory Copyright License (17 USC 111) in lieu of making more substantive changes that could result in consumers paying higher rates for cable television service.
Eliminate the use of outdated FCC market quota rules
Eliminate phantom signal payments
Clarify that FOX stations are network signals
Maintain the short form Statement of Account for very small cable systems.
Also regarding the 2009 reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Act, the ACA urged members of Congress to preserve the competitive balance of the pay television market by concurrently granting cable operators any new rights that are granted to satellite TV providers.
The ACA lobbied Congress in support of legislation that ensures consumers may receive access to in-state broadcast signals that they may not currently receive from their cable and satellite providers due to retransmission consent and exclusivity rules.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE,
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Matthew |
Polka |
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Ross |
Lieberman |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
Name | Address |
Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
1 | 3 | 5 |
2 | 4 | 6 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
Name | Address |
Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
1 | 5 | 9 |
2 | 6 | 10 |
3 | 7 | 11 |
4 | 8 | 12 |