Ironically, It has been reported in my Telecom Law Report that the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced that it has ended its investigation of potential mismanagement at the FCC and that it will not hold a public hearing. Instead, the committee is reviewing its options and may issue a report on its findings. Dingell announced that it was concluded, saying that it is determining how best to make its findings public, including a report on the investigation.

 

Back last June, Shimkus, a Republican from Illinois, said that he had expected the exercise to be more educational than anything else, thus throwing cold water on the investigation.

 

Big disappointment, since the investigators took two hours with us investigating the BPL mismanagement at the FCC.

 

And now, NASCARgate. What bad timing by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.....

 

73, Chris W3KD

 

TGIF everyone,

Last week, FCC Chairman Martin was named “Porker of the Month” for October by Citizens Against Government Waste. That’s quite a distinction considering the competition.

http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_porkerofthemonth

Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers, government officials, and political candidates who have shown a blatant disregard for the interests of taxpayers.

 

CAGW Names FCC Chairman Kevin Martin October Porker of the Month

Washington, D.C. - Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today named Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin its October Porker of the Month for using FCC funds to sponsor a NASCAR driver from his home state.

The FCC will pay $355,000 to sponsor David Gilliland’s number 38 car, owned by Yates Racing, for three races, in order to raise awareness about the upcoming switch to digital television (DTV) in February.  Even though the commission has inundated networks with paid announcements for months, Martin considered it necessary to use additional taxpayer dollars to pay for the car and driver to bear slogans such as “Is Your TV ready for Digital?”  The sponsorship has gotten off to a rocky start, as Gilliland’s car crashed into the wall on October 19 the first race with the new ad.

While spreading public awareness over the transition from analog to digital broadcasting is important, the National Association of Broadcasters has stated that the public is already largely aware of the switch.  “This doesn't seem like the most efficient use of resources,” admitted FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein.  While NASCAR is the biggest spectator sport in the country, it seems absurd to spend taxpayer money for three races only four months before the switch, following months of alternative advertising.  Chairman Martin not only chose to misuse government funds, but did so without consulting all of the FCC commissioners.

Not only does this expenditure show poor judgment, the underlying motivation for the contract has also raised eyebrows.  Martin is generally expected to be replaced as FCC Chairman by the next president, after which he may attempt to launch a political career in his home state of North Carolina.  Indeed, some have suggested that Martin’s decision to move forward with this sponsorship is linked to his political future in the state.  Gilliland is based in North Carolina, while NASCAR maintains offices in four North Carolina cities.  Additionally, Martin chose Wilmington, North Carolina as the test site for the switch to DTV.  Considering Martin’s ability to sequester taxpayer money for his prospective constituents, he is well on his way to becoming a successful legislative porker.

For using taxpayer funds on an unnecessary project, diverting focus from more important telecommunications concerns, recklessly spending without consulting with his peers, and attempting to use his influence to shore up his own political prospects, CAGW names FCC Chairman Kevin Martin its October 2008 Porker of the Month.

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.  Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers, government officials, and political candidates who have shown a blatant disregard for the interests of taxpayers.

####

For more information, contact:    Alexa Moutevelis          
                                                202-467-5318                 
                                                amoutevelis@cagw.org

       

As the release notes, in what we hope does not turn out to be a metaphor for digital TV the FCC-sponsored car hit the wall its first time out. There’s a photo at

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/10/20/fccs-race-car-to-promote-digital-tv-hits-the-wall/

Dave K1ZZ