Assembly concurrent resolution no. 156 State of new jersey 216th legislature
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- District 2 (Atlantic) SYNOPSIS
- A Concurrent Resolution
- Whereas
- Be It Resolved
- (Sponsorship Updated As Of: 5/23/2014)
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ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 156 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 216th LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED MAY 22, 2014 Sponsored by: Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland) Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO District 2 (Atlantic) SYNOPSIS Urges LocusPoint Networks to keep operating WMGM-TV NBC40; encourages FCC to prioritize local news stations. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced. 
A Concurrent Resolution urging LocusPoint Networks to keep WMGM-TV NBC40 in operation and encouraging the Federal Communications Commission to prioritize local news stations. Whereas, WMGM-TV, known as “NBC40”, of Linwood, New Jersey, provides extensive local news coverage for residents of South Jersey and has been providing reliable local news for the past 45 years; and Whereas, In addition to covering national and regional news, NBC40 covers events of local interest such as local high school sports, South Jersey community events, and local weather; and Whereas, During extreme weather conditions, NBC40 is essential to informing the people of South Jersey of hazardous conditions and keeping them updated on potential weather risks; and Whereas, Especially during and after Superstorm Sandy, NBC40 was integral to keeping the residents of South Jersey safe by reporting on the progression of the storm and its effects; and Whereas, In early 2014, NBC40 was sold by its former owner, Access 1 Communications, to LocusPoint Networks for $6 million; and Whereas, Access 1 Communications continues to manage NBC40 and reports indicate that LocusPoint Networks plans to continue operation of NBC40; and Whereas, Concerns exist that purchasers of local television stations intend to auction these stations’ spectrum usage rights at the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadcast Television Spectrum Incentive Auction, which will provide additional spectrum space for mobile broadband service; and Whereas, Local viewers have expressed concern that LocusPoint Networks may auction NBC40’s spectrum usage rights in the FCC spectrum auction, resulting in NBC40 going off the air; and Whereas, The potential auction and closure of NBC40 would result in lost jobs and a vacuum of local news coverage that has proved essential over the years for the residents of South Jersey; and Whereas, Creating additional spectrum space for mobile broadband service is important, but should not come as a result of putting local news stations out of business; and Whereas, When reassigning television channels and reallocating spectrum space in relation to the auction, federal law requires the FCC to make reasonable efforts to preserve the coverage area and population served of each broadcast television license; and Whereas, The FCC should recognize the importance of local news stations and prioritize continuation of these stations in the future; and Whereas, Since local broadcasting stations are vital sources of news for the communities they serve by reporting on events of local interest, it is imperative that LocusPoint Networks keep NBC40 in operation; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring): 1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges LocusPoint Networks to keep WMGM-TV, NBC40 in operation for the benefit of the South Jersey community and to not participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadcast Television Spectrum Incentive Auction. 2. The Legislature respectfully encourages the Federal Communications Commission to prioritize local news stations and focus on keeping these stations in operation for the benefit of their respective communities. 3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to LocusPoint Networks and the five commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission. STATEMENT This concurrent resolution encourages LocusPoint Networks, the recent purchaser of WMGM-TV, NBC40 in Linwood, Atlantic County, New Jersey, to keep NBC40 in operation and to not participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadcast Television Spectrum Incentive Auction. NBC40 is a local news station serving the residents of South Jersey and reports on events of local concern including weather, community events, and high school sports. NBC40 was integral in keeping South Jersey residents updated on the approach of Superstorm Sandy and its effects. Since the station was sold by Access 1 Communications to LocusPoint Networks, concerns exist that NBC40’s spectrum usage rights may be auctioned at the upcoming FCC’s Broadcast Television Spectrum Incentive Auction, which will provide spectrum space for mobile broadband service. This sale would result in NBC40 going off the air. If NBC40’s spectrum usage rights are auctioned, jobs will be lost and residents of South Jersey will lose a reliable community news station. The FCC should prioritize local news stations and focus on keeping these stations in operation for the benefit of local communities. (Sponsorship Updated As Of: 5/23/2014) Directory: 20142015 -> ACR 20142015 -> All times Eastern (Updated 1/12/15) 20142015 -> Assembly resolution no. 186 State of new jersey 216th legislature 20142015 -> Assembly, No. 3809 state of new jersey 216th legislature 20142015 -> Senate, No. 2351 state of new jersey 216th legislature 20142015 -> Assembly, No. 4835 state of new jersey 216th legislature 20142015 -> Assembly resolution no. 108 State of new jersey 216th legislature 20142015 -> State of new jersey 20142015 -> Senate resolution no. 53 State of new jersey 216th legislature 20142015 -> Assembly, No. 2791 state of new jersey 216th legislature ACR -> State of new jersey Download 19.37 Kb. Share with your friends:
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