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Radio News: Wheeler testifies about enforcement cuts

Apr 01, 2015 6:04 pm

John Anderson at DIYmedia.net reports more of the details about the proposal to dramatically cut the Federal Communication Commission’s enforcement field offices. Two-thirds of the FCC’s 24 field offices would be closed under the budget proposal, with total enforcement staffing cut in half. Instead, the FCC would establish a “tiger team” of enforcers, who might not be that familiar with the area's airwaves, would be able to use pre-positioned equipment. Last week at the U.S. House's Financial Services Subcommittee budget hearing for the FCC, chairman Tom Wheeler was asked about the new, leaner enforcement strategy. Rep. Jaime Herrera Butler (R-WA) asked Wheeler about the new plan and the lack of any field office in the Pacific Northwest in the proposal. The question comes around one hour and fourteen minutes into the hearing above.[audio mp3="http://newsroom.free103point9.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Congressionalquestion_TomWheeler_enforcementcuts_20150402.mp3"][/audio]