Support
Digital Equity in CT
Level The Playing Field So Everyone Pays Their Fair Share
The STATE is losing Millions IN REVENUE. HB 5446 Fixes it!
Why? Because the Cable TV companies SAY that the tax only applies to their old cable service, that customers aren’t buying any more, and not the new service on the wire.
This Doesn’t Make Sense!!
They are still delivering television services on the same wires, on the same poles, on the same streets while NOT paying their fair share.
HB 5446 levels the playing field and greatly needs your support! Read HB 5446 here and watch these videos below on why digital equity is needed in Connecticut.
Stay Awhile and Listen
Just give me the Basics
What Is PEG in Connecticut?
Public, Education and Government Television are the PEOPLE’s CHANNELS serving 169 cities and towns in CT. We provide hyper local content of your community that educates, informs and inspires residents. Programs include transparent government meetings, community events, helping other non-profits… ALL FOR FREE!
Have YoU Seen
Your
Cable Bill Lately?
Cable Companies raised customer bills by $10+ per month in 2024!
While at the same time, they get a tax exemption for ALL of their equipment!
Cable companies don’t lose a customer who “cuts the cord” - The CORD WAS NEVER REALLY CUT!
They keep the same customer, on the same wire, on the same pole, over the same street but NOW they keep ALL their revenue with nothing coming to the state or Public Television.
“If it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.”
Federal Judge Janet Bond Arterton, US District Court of CT
In regard to video programming to homes via IPTV as a cable service.
1980
2000
2020
The same infrastructure from the 1980s holds true today - over 40 years later! It’s time for everyone to pay their fair share!
WHAT GOES AWAY IF NOTHING CHANGES?
A federally mandated 5% gross earnings tax to the franchise authority, which in Connecticut is the State. This money goes into a General Fund and pays for things such as CTN: CT’s TV Network funded 3.2 Million annually.
FUND Public Educational and Government TV, called PEG, the equivalent to CTN on a local town level and considered by Congress and the FCC an important part of our communities with funding approximately $1 per month per customer.
0.25% for Educational Technology grant fund used by schools, towns and community nonprofits for technology or capital expenses. This tech keeps children educated on the latest and greatest technology to build their futures.
Public TV Will Go Away…
Public TV Station Nonprofits are small business employers whose funds have been cut in half, forcing layoffs, and putting a strain on local community TV resources. They bring Connecticut’s hyper local content directly to where the consumer wants to watch: Online.
If HB 5446 does not pass this legislative session, this valuable public resource will cease to exist…
LOCAL , RELIABLE, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Veterans Award Ceremony
Honoring Heroes: The Fallen Bristol Police Officers
Inauguration of Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam
Most programs are found ANYWHERE the Public wants to watch; whether they are cable customers or not.
Local TV Stations have migrated with the Technology.
Where Can You Watch Your Local Public TV Station?
EVERYWHERE!
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Roku
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Fire TV
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Apple TV
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YouTube
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iPhone
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Android
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Cable TV
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On The Web
Senator Richard Blumenthal
“Video service in Connecticut will be required to meet fundamental public service obligations currently incumbent upon cable service providers, provide important community benefits, and are fully justified for any entity seeking to use the public right of way for the benefit of shareholders.”
“IPTV Services are looming and will usher in a new age of telecommunications and regulations must keep pace.”
“All providers of video services, regardless of the technology used, retain public policy obligations of great importance to the localities and communities in which they serve.”
Connecticut State Office of Consumer Counsel
Contact us
support@digitalequityct.com
Keep Educational Grant Funding, Public Television and CTN alive in Connecticut by signing this petition and show how important they are to you before it goes away forever.