Taylor Village residents in Howard County, once outraged over a bill intended to promote cable competition, now support it with the removal of a fee.
The amendment, presented by Council Member Ken Ulman, D-District 4, would eliminate a mandatory fee for cable users.
The bill would provide for secondary franchise status that would allow small companies such as Ellicott City Cable to access public rights of way to install cable lines.
Ellicott City Cable, which serves Taylor Village, came under fire for imposing the $65 fee for service. The amendment would remove that fee.
Bruce Taylor, who testified on behalf of Ellicott City Cable, asked the council to change language in the amendment to reflect that any franchise, rather than just secondary franchises, would be included.
He said the company supports the bill.
Steve Hannon, of the county?s Office of Consumer Affairs, who expressed concern with the bill, also said he supports it.
The County Council approved the amendment recently and is expected to vote on the bill Oct. 30 at the George Howard Building on Court House Drive in Ellicott City.
