45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO COALITION FOR COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION PROVIDERS TO ADVISE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH REGARD TO EXISTING AND EMERGING COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING, ADVOCATING, COORDINATING AND FOSTERING ACCESS TO PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION.

WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico has a compelling interest in promoting education, economic growth, public health, public safety, democratic discourse and cultural expression in improving the performance of institutions of self-governance and improving communications between the public and public officials; and

WHEREAS, the state believes that its residents should have access to diverse information, educational voices, viewpoints and perspectives over telecommunications networks, including cable, broadcast, microwave and satellite systems, internet, video systems, streaming video and other advanced or emerging telecommunications; and

WHEREAS, the convergence of various media and the explosion in overall telecommunications capacity have eliminated many distinctions between types of telecommunications services; and

WHEREAS, public educational and governmental access to telecommunications services is an appropriate form of compensation to the state, local and tribal governments for use of public rights of way; and

WHEREAS, diversification in the telecommunications, utilities and entertainment industries necessitates fair regulatory treatment of all providers of telecommunications;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico coalition of community access television providers be requested to advise local governments with regard to access for existing and emerging communication technology through the coordinated efforts of New Mexico public, educational and governmental access channels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be distributed to the director of the New Mexico coalition for community access television providers for appropriate distribution.