Tag Archives: Federal Communications Commission

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An excellent article in the New York Times


Logo of the United States Federal Communicatio...Carolyn Tamler …

www.moveon.org and  www.whidbey.net

The article and link below is from a 2007 New York Times, but it still seems very relevant and timely.

The Price of Free Airwaves By MICHAEL J. COPPS

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/02/opinion/02copps.html?pagewanted=print

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Weekly digest


USA.gov

CALM Act Regulates Volume of TV Commercials
12/28/2012

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established new rules for the volume of television commercials that started on December 13, 2012. The new regulation, known as the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, requires commercials to have the same average volume as the programs they accompany. The CALM Act requires TV stations, cable operators or other multichannel video program distributors to apply specific FCC practices to commercials they transmit.

If you hear a commercial louder than the TV show it accompanies, you can file a complaint with the FCC by providing detailed information about the commercial.

Learn more about the CALM Act.

 

Keep Single-Load Liquid Laundry Packets Away from Children
12/29/2012

example of single-load liquid laundry packets

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to lock up single-load liquid laundry packets and keep them away from children.

Liquid laundry packets are attractive to children because they are soft and colorful and resemble familiar items like candy and teething products.

These items also dissolve quickly when placed in the mouth or are handled with wet hands. Children who are exposed to the chemicals are at risk of serious injury because they can be toxic.

In 2012, CPSC staff have learned of about 500 incidents involving children and adults who were injured by the packets.

CPSC recommends these steps to prevent unintentional poisonings and eye injuries:

  • Do NOT let children handle laundry packets.
  • Keep the liquid laundry packets sealed in their original packaging, and make sure they are locked up and out of a child’s sight and reach.
  • If swallowed or exposed to the eye, immediately call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Learn more about the dangers of single-load laundry packets. (PDF)

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Presidential Proclamation — Blind Americans Equality Day, 2012

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The White House
Disability UpdatesNote: If you received this email as a forward but would like to be added to the White House Disability Group email distribution list, please visit our website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/disability-issues-contact and fill out the “contact us” form in the disabilities section, or you can email us at disability@who.eop.gov and provide your full name, city, state, and organization.

Recent disability announcements include the President proclaiming October 15, 2012, as Blind Americans Equality Day, the Department of Labor launching a virtual Workplace Flexibility Toolkit, the Federal Communications Commission putting internet closed captions rules into effect, and the Department of Education awarding $24 million in grant funding to 22 states to improve training systems to help children with disabilities.

Presidential Proclamation — Blind Americans Equality Day, 2012

As business leaders and public advocates, teachers and scientists, musicians and athletes, and in countless other ways, blind and visually impaired Americans have profoundly enriched every part of our national life. Today, we celebrate their innumerable contributions, and we recommit to guaranteeing equal access, equal opportunity, and equal respect for all Americans.

Read the full text of the proclamation at the following link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/10/15/presidential-proclamation-blind-americans-equality-day-2012

US Department of Labor launches virtual Workplace Flexibility Toolkit during National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The U.S. Department of Labor has launched its online Workplace Flexibility Toolkit to provide employees, job seekers, employers, policymakers and researchers with information, resources and a unique approach to workplace flexibility. Workplace flexibility policies and practices typically focus on when and where work is done. The toolkit adds a new dimension — an emphasis on flexibility around job tasks and what work is done. Funded by the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in partnership with the department’s Women’s Bureau, the toolkit makes more than 170 resources easily accessible

Read more about the toolkit at the following link: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20122014.htm#.UHwpRMU712w

Federal Communications Commission Internet Closed Captioning Rules Went Into Effect September 30

Rules requiring distributors of certain Internet video programming to provide closed captioning to assist viewers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing went into effect on September 30. Closed captioning is the visual display of the audio portion of video programming. These Internet closed captioning requirements were implemented pursuant to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).

Read more about the new rules at the following link: http://www.fcc.gov/document/internet-closed-captioning-rules-went-effect-september-30

$24 Million in Grants Awarded to 22 States to Improve Training Systems to Help Children with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education announced the award of $24 million in grants to 22 states to improve personnel training systems to help children with disabilities. States receiving grants are: Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The State Personnel Development Grants Program, authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provides funds to assist states in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, education and transition services in order to enhance results for children with disabilities.

Read more about the grant awards at the following link: http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/24-million-grants-awarded-22-states-improve-training-systems-help-children-disab
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House out until 11/10 while Americans suffer – the Senate considers S.J.Res.6 FCC rule & HR647 H.R.647, the 3% Withholding Repeal Act with the Veterans’ Jobs amendment


the Senate Convened 9:30amET November 9, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 10:00am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 10:00am, the Republican Leader, or his designee, will be recognized to make a motion to proceed to S.J.Res.27, (Cross Border Air Pollution/EPA) with up to 2 hours of debate, equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 12:00pm, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.6 (Net Neutrality/FCC) with up to five minutes of debate, equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees.
  • At approximately 12:05pm, there will be up to 2 roll call votes in the following order:
  • Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.6, Net Neutrality/FCC (majority threshold)
  • (2 minutes of debate)
  • Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.27, Cross Border Air Protection/EPA (majority threshold)
  • At approximately 2:30pm, there will be up to 4 roll call votes in the following order:
  • McCain second degree amendment #928 (the text of S.1720) (60-vote threshold)
  • Tester amendment #927 (the VOW to Hire Heroes Act)(60-vote threshold)
  • Passage of H.R.674, the 3% Withholding Repeal Act, as amended, if amended
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.2354, the Energy and Water Appropriations bill (the expected vehicle for Energy & Water, Financial Services and Foreign Operations Appropriations bills).
  • Senators should be aware we may get consent to begin the second series of votes earlier.

The Senate is now considering the McConnell motion to proceed to S.J.Res.6, a joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to regulating the Internet and broadband industry practices with up to 4 hours of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees.

By unanimous consent, the roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.6 will be at approximately 12:05pm tomorrow, Thursday, November 10, 2011.

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.2447, a bill to grant the congressional gold medal to the Montford Point Marines.

Adopted S.Res.318, a resolution to authorize the printing of a revised edition of the Senate Rules and Manual.

Adopted S.Res.319, a resolution Honoring the life and legacy of Joe Frazier.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on November 10, 2011.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

DOJ fights AT&T merger – but our fight’s not over …Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org


An exciting new ally joined the fight to stop AT&T’s dangerous merger with T-Mobile: the United Stated Department of Justice. Arguing that the merger would crush competition and lead to higher prices, the DOJ filed a lawsuit in Federal court to block the merger, dealing it a major blow.1

This is an important victory in our fight to protect the ability of poor folks and communities of color to use the Internet to make a better life for themselves. If AT&T were allowed to purchase T-Mobile, it would have a terrible impact on jobs, affordability, and Internet freedom.

Instead, the case will take months to wind its way through the court system. And the Federal Communications Commission, which also has authority over the proposed deal, has publicly indicated its own deep misgivings.2 None of this could have happened without the massive public outcry from ColorOfChange members, and our friends and allies. Thank you.

This fight isn’t over yet. We can’t predict how the lawsuit will turn out, and it’s important that we remain vigilant. AT&T is expected to fight the DOJ’s decision tooth and nail, and it remains possible that the DOJ and AT&T could hammer out a deal that leads the DOJ to drop its opposition. And 76 Democratic members of Congress are still on record supporting the deal. It’s critical that we continue to expose their false arguments in support of the merger and keep pushing them to withdraw their support.

AT&T has spent millions on lobbying and PR to advance its agenda, and it will continue to use its vast resources to twist the facts and mislead the public. Our work is powered by you, our members, and we need your support to keep fighting back. Your voice has been a powerful force in this fight. If you can also support our work financially, in any amount, please click the link below:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

We’ll

be sure keep you up to date with any new opportunities to take action. At ColorOfChange, we will continue to stand up for everyone’s right to access a free and open Internet, and we hope you will continue to be there with us.

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 2nd, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

References:

1. “U.S. sues to block AT&T buying T-Mobile,” MarketWatch, 8-31-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/952?akid=2150.1174326.zFs-xm&t=4

2

. “FCC Still Reviewing AT&T’s T-Mobile Deal After Justice’s Antitrust Action,” Bloomberg, 8-31-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/953?akid=2150.1174326.zFs-xm&t=6

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