The amendment, therefore, is a sure way to protect the interests of the municipalities and the consumers. For the foregoing reasons, the Senate is urged to support the amendment. Not only would the Dixon amendment tear asunder this agreement, it would also sacrifice compelling national needs to the eccentricities of local government. We must therefore reject the pending amendment to S. 66. Traditionally, the position of the United States has been that local governments have no right to regulate communications.
Cable is a form of communications.
For the sole reason that wires had to be strung, the Federal Government initially decided that local units could regulate cable. But now that the cable network is facing competition, and satellites make the laying of wires less of a concern, local regulatory autonomy is no longer appropriate. The bill as reported, recognizing that a national policy is in order, nonetheless takes the needs of local communities into full account. Local cable rate hikes are limited to the rate of increase in the local consumer price index, and an area where the viewers receive at least four signals will not be subject to rate regulation under the bill. That this is fair can be known from the National League of Cities' hearty endorsement.