JIM COSTA COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 16TH DtSTR tCT, CALIFORNIA WEB PAGE: www.costa.house .gov E-.iROPE , EuAASIA, E~EAGY , AND rHE E"'N1RONMENr COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE CHAIR " S uecoMM1TTE E CN TRANSATLANTIC LEGISLATORS' DIALOGUE L 1VESTOO< AND F OREIGN A GA!CULTUAE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES C HAIR COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RES OURCES SuecoMM1TTEE ON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NATO PARLI AMENTAR Y ASSEMBLY W P.TEA , O CEANS, MO W ILDLIFE WASHINGTON, DC 20515 ME~J!8t:R July 2, 2019 415 The Honorable Ajit V. Pai Chainnan 455 12th Street, Southwest Washington, DC, 20544 Re: MB Docket No. 05-3 11 Dear Chairman Pai: I write regarding the FCC's September 25th Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in Implementation ofSection 62l(a)(I) ofthe Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 as Amended by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of1992, MB Docket 05-311. PEG channels play a critical role in local communities in my district, California's 16th District, and throughout the San Joaquin Valley. For example, since 20 12 these channels have helped enhanced public engagement in the Cities of Fresno and Clovis, California by conttibuting over 2,500 hours of skill development and over 5,200 hours of hyper-local programming to residents. PEG programs are an essential local servi<.:e, providing more than platforms to enhance publicity for community events or avenues for local organizations to communicate to the communities they serve. The intent of the PEG provisions in the 1984 Cable Act was to enhance learning opportunities for our local communities. Therefore, it is essential to consider the impact of potential changes on PEG stations' financial viability, and ultimately, the resources available to rural communities such as those within my district and the San Joaquin Vall ey. As the Commission continues to consider this docket, I strongly encourage to consider the c1itical role PEG stations play for the next generation. Thank you for your consideration and attention to this important issue. Sincerely, JIM COSTA Member of Congress Cc: The Honorable Michael O'Rielly, Commissioner The Honorable Brendan Can, Commissioner The Honorable Jessica Rosenwot'cel, Commissioner The Honorable Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner FR ESNO OFF IC E- MERCED OFFICE: WASHINGTON OFFICE 855 M STREET, SUITE 940 2222 M STREET, SUITE 305 2081 RAYBURN House 0FF1CE Bu11..01NG FRESNO, CA 93721 M ERCED, CA 95340 WASH INGTON, DC 20515 PHONE" (5591 495- 1620 PHONE" (2091 384-1620 PHONE . (202) 225-3341 F" x: (559) 495- 1027 FAX . (2091 384-1629 FAx (202) 225-9308 ®~ "