Updated: 28 February 2023
When Laurraine and I moved to Oracle, Arizona, in 2009 we were surprised to learn that the Federal Government prohibited us from watching the Tucson TV stations (30 miles away) via a satellite TV provider. Instead the Government required that we only receive the Phoenix TV stations (about 120 miles away). That meant we could not view the nearest TV stations with their local news, weather, sports, advertising, and local emergency information.
We tolerated the flawed Federal legislation for a few years, but in 2013 I began working to get Congress to fix the flawed, dangerous, and unfair "Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act" (STELA) legislation that it created. DirecTV and Dish TV must comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Designated Market Area (DMA) regulation that puts all of Pinal County in the Phoenix TV market area. Over the years I have written many letters and emails to elected officials, TV station managers, and others in my efforts to get Congress to stop putting local lives at risk and harming local businesses by enacting a "Market Area Modification" for southern Pinal County, Arizona. Unfortunately, our Federal Government has continued to fail the citizens of southern Arizona and not enacted necessary change, even with two local serious crises in 2020. The issue is not specific to southern Pinal County, Arizona. It also affects several other locations in the United States. The next crisis could be weeks, days, or hours away. Congress and the FCC must not continue to fail American citizens.
I have become the Pinal County "point person" on this issue. To broaden awareness, this blog documents the issue, my efforts, and any results. Updates will be posted as appropriate.
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I welcome any suggestions and support for this effort. Please contact me at mweasner@mac.com.
Read my Short Biography to learn more about me.