The FCC has unanimously adopted an order on the cell tower industry's tower siting "shot clock" petition. The order sets presumptive deadlines of 90 days (for co-location applications) and 150 days (for all other wireless siting applications) within which a local government must act on wireless applications. If the local government fails to act before that deadline, then:  (1) the local government is presumed (albeit rebuttably) not to have acted within a "a reasonable period of time" within the meaning of Sec. 332(c)(7)(B)(ii) of the Communications Act, and (2) the wireless applicant is entitled to take the local government to court on that ground pursuant to Sec. 332(c)(7)(B)(v).  As a standard operating procedure, the FCC made clear that once in court, the local government is entitled to prove that its failure to act within the FCC's deadline was reasonable and thus not contrary to Sec. 332(c)(7)(B)(ii). (Proving that, of course, will cost money.) The decision is bad news for local government budgets and the orderliness of the local zoning process.  The League is reviewing the Order and working with our national partners in Washington to determine the next best course of action.

The League's CEO Dan Gilmartin participated in a spirited debate with a handful of leaders representing a range of business and education interests Tuesday over Michigan's tax and budget reform.  Panelists advocated their views and respectfully agreed to disagree or at least find common ground on topics ranging from expanding the sales tax to teacher salaries. There was no consensus on revenue solutions to the state’s budget problems but the need for changing the overall tax structure was unanimous.  The forum, hosted by the Center for Michigan, was an open discussion and encouraged audience participation. Polling numbers from the 250 attendees were used to spur each new debate (results of audience polls). When the conversation was heading in the same direction it has for years (what kind of tax breaks/hikes do we need?), Gilmartin reminded us that Michigan doesn't lose to other states on its income tax rate or because of its business tax – we lose on "place."  The League's message:  Michigan needs a tax structure that supports vibrant communities that attract and create entrepreneurs. Read more with quick links to Tuesday's presentations and related news: Business Leaders Unable to Reach Consensus on State’s Budget Woes (Crain's Detroit News), Panel: State needs leadership, vision (Lansing State Journal), State business leaders ask: "How do you fix Michigan? (WZZM13 Grand Rapids), Expand Sales Tax, Group Says (WILX10 Lansing).

 Last week the FCC released a public notice to request comments on the relationship between broadband and economic opportunity. NATOA has requested help from local units of government by asking for your answers to the following questions:

1.  What are the key "community hubs" (i.e. libraries, community colleges, job training centers, unemployment offices, etc.) that often act as an access point for individuals to gain broad band access in your community?

2. What is the current broadband availability rate at:

 (a) Libraries

 (b) Community colleges

 (c)  Job training centers

 (d) Unemployment offices

 (e) Computing centers and tribal "chapter houses" on tribal lands

3.  At each of these community hubs, what is the connection offered (i.e. dial-up, DLS, cable, DIA)?

(a) If the connection is sharing amongst mulitple comupters, what is the individual computer access speed?

4. What is the ratio of available computers to the number of people who are regularly served by the community hub?

(a) Are there often lines waiting for an available computer?

(b) Are there time limits on individual access?

(c) Are there restrictions on activities?

5. What servies do these community hubs offer that make broadband more relevant (i.e. training, digital literacy, resource guides, etc.)?

(a) What classes and services do they deliver?

(b) What level of training and job readiness do they offer?

6. Also, please provide them with any stories or data you have on the impact of such projects in supporting economic development in your community.

NATOA is looking to add to their current list of case studies. (See pdf link to case studies below.)

Please send any information you have no later than Tuesday, November 24 to mjohnson@natoa.org

Case Histories from BHLG e-NC white paper.pdf (69.57 kb)