Reps. Tom Bliley (R-Va.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas) apparently have had it with rope-a-dope delays by Franklin L. Haney. Haney, as you may recall, is the Tennessee investor-developer and pal of Al Gore who is suspected of paying $1 million to Peter Knight, another Al pal and former manager of the ’96 Clinton-Gore re-election campaign, for closing the deal on the Portals.
Writing Nov. 21 to Haney attorney Stanley M. Brand, House Commerce Committee head Bliley, and Barton, head of the oversight and investigations subcommittee, agreed to give Haney until Tuesday to respond to congressional questions on the Portals. If it doesn’t happen, the two GOP lawmakers warned, it’ll be subpoena time. Any questions, call committee investigator Mark Paoletta at (202) 225-2927.
In the meantime, House telecom subcommittee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.) has asked FCC Chairman Bill Kennard to stay put at 1919 M Street until further notice. Of course, that is what all FCCers and communications lawyers want anyway.
… Out for comment: The proposed $37billion WorldCom Inc. and MCI Communications Corp. merger. Fixed microwave and private land mobile licenses are part of the mix. Jan. 5 for comments; Jan. 26 for replies. Eh, Bernie, nothing like being the Canadian maverick of the telecom world.
… The other Bernie in the news, Rep. Sanders (I-Vt.), hooked up on the tele with Kennard. Stripped away of diplomatic speak, Kennard wouldn’t commit to a request to delay any fed pre-emption ruling on antenna siting for one year.
On the other hand, Kennard said no decision would be forthcoming before the second quarter and would accept Sen. James Jeffords’ (R-Vt.) offer to visit scenic Vermont. What the heck, get some skiing in while you’re up there, Bill.
… What’s this we hear about CTIA meeting last Monday on WTR funding and audit. Could there be second thoughts about releasing the WTR audit now that Harvard’s John Graham and Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) have raised the issue? Reliable source tells RCR that Bell Atlantic President Denny Strigl is upset about lackluster $28 million WTR research programs and negative press it has attracted.
… Have an old cell phone you’re not using? Fire the sucker up. WRC TV Channel 4 in D.C. broadcast a story last Thursday story that carriers probably didn’t care for. Mobile phones not in service can still access 911. Downside: emergency dispatchers might not be able to call you back, according to carriers.
