They have spent thousands of dollars trying to put together a model telecommunications ordinance for cities to adopt. Before joining such forces, I hope you will take the time to learn more about the path taken by those communities who are driven not by potential tax revenue, but by real economic development opportunities from telecommunications infrastructure investments and services. They have struggled with a long list of legal and accounting issues. For example, in Michigan, certain roads are under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Transportation. Most roads under the jurisdiction of County Road Commissions.
Cities have jurisdiction over some roads.
Such actions discourage investments in all Michigan communities. One of Governor Engler's appointees, Douglas Rothwell, CEO and Director of the Michigan Jobs Commission, was calling for a summit meeting with local officials this summer on putting together a uniform statewide local telecommunications policy. The survey was conducted by Michigan State University researchers under name, Telecomatrix Michigan. The results are in and there was little indication that cities were putting up barriers to economic development and competition in the cable television or telecommunications industries. Obviously we think Michigan will have a competitive advantage if we're successful in trying to do that as opposed to a piecemeal approach.