Independent non-network affiliate local television stations sole priority is to respond to the interests and values of the local viewers that they serve.  As a strong proponent of competition in the market place, I have long been a supporter of regulations which protect these stations from national broadcast networks which depend on a uniformed programming schedule to attract advertising dollars. 

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) recent decision to ease regulations prohibiting any entity from owning television stations that reach greater than 35% of the national audience to 45%, threatens this delicate balance between networks and their affiliates. 

I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2052, the Preservation of Localism, Program Diversity, and Competition in Television Broadcast Service Act of 2003, which would reverse the FCC decision on media ownership in television and would revert back to the 35% cap.

I will continue to fight to allow local citizens the power to influence decisions on television programming.