Local Community Radio Act Bill Stalled in Senate

I figure now is the perfect time to slip in a post on politics while everyone is in the midst of maintaining their "I'm politically informed" charade for the next 48 hours or so. At least before they revert back into their natural politically oblivious state (until 2012, that is). 

Besides, most people are probably running out of re-usable talking points to spew on their friends and family. So here is one that they can use that will make them sound real smart!

This news comes courtesy of the Radio Survivor blog. It has to do with the Local Community Radio Act Bill in that is currently stalled in the Senate. Obviously an area of concern for The Soundscape and all of us over at WTF 94.9 Buffalo Free Radio. 

Tick, tick, tick. LPFM expansion bill languishes due to Senatorial nonsense

October 26th, 2010 by Paul Riismandel in LPFM, community radio, politix

Like comedy, democracy ain’t pretty. It’s been more than a year since the House passed the Local Community Radio Act, but the companion bill in the Senate seems to be jammed up in the sausage grinder.

Although the expansion of LPFM apparently enjoys broad bipartisan support, according to Politico Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso has put a hold on the bill “because he wants to ensure it includes language that distinguishes full-power FM stations from low-power FM stations.”



Let me be entirely honest and clear: I have no idea what it means to “distinguish full-power FM stations from low-power FM stations.” My best guess is that Barrasso wants to be sure that LPFM stations are treated as a secondary service, which means they have to give way if a full-power station wants to move or increase. However, this is already true, baked into the LPFM service from the very start. In which case I can only conclude that Barraso is looking for any excuse–no matter how lame–to keep the bill from a vote until the end of this Congressional session. This is the third hold the bill has been subjected to.

The Prometheus Radio Project is doing its best to unjam things, urging Wyoming residents to give their senator a call to politely urge him to let the Local Community Radio Act have a fair and democratic hearing on the Senate floor.