Help Save URTV!

A new law in North Carolina has stripped local government control over cable TV franchise renewals, the sole source of funding for public access TV operations like URTV.

SB-1068 will restore funding for URTV and allow other North Carolina communities to obtain public access TV.

SB-1068 has been introduced in the N.C. Senate, and it will come up for a vote within the next 30-60 days.

SB-1068 has a strong chance of passage because it will do four things:

• provide digital media training for our young people


• incubate new small businesses


• help boost the state's growing film/video industry


• help create good-paying jobs for a stronger middle class.

With passage of SB-1068, North Carolina will be the first state in the nation to adopt the Community Media Center (CMC) economic development model.

SB-1068 will put North Carolina in the national spotlight as a "digital media-friendly" place to do business.

Sponsored by the N.C. Coalition of Community Media Centers: www.ncccmc.org

Here's what you can do:

Contact your Buncombe County delegation in the N.C. General Assembly:

Tell Sen. Martin Nesbitt and Sen. Walter Dalton "THANK YOU" for co-sponsoring SB-1068:

Sen. Martin Nesbitt: martinn@ncleg.net 919-715-3001

Sen. Walter Dalton: daltonla@ncleg.net 919-715-3038

Ask NC House members Susan Fisher, Bruce Goforth, and Charles Thomas to support AND co-sponsor the House version of SB-1068.

Outside Buncombe County, please contact your local state senators and representives. Click here to find their contact information.