2016-10-26T07:32:00-05:00 2015-12-31 251408703 SCHNEIDER DOWNS & CO INC ONE PPG PLACE SUITE 1700 PITTSBURGH PA 15222 990 2015-01-01 943180176 AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION INC AMER 4129228300 875 GREENTREE RD 7 PKWY CTR NO 755 PITTSBURGH PA 15220 MATTHEW M POLKA PRESIDENT & CEO 4129228300 2016-10-24 1 EUGENE J LOGAN P00227231 4122613644 2015 2017-02-10 21:41:12Z MATTHEW M POLKA 875 GREENTREE RD 7 PKWY CTR NO 755 PITTSBURGH PA 15220 5584307 0 X WWW.AMERICANCABLE.ORG X 1993 PA THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. (ACA) PURPOSE SHALL BE THE PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. ACA ALSO PROVIDES REGULATORY, TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRY INFORMATION TO ITS MEMBERS. 19 19 9 22 0 0 0 0 4101184 5575021 643 2209 255629 6925 4357456 5584155 0 0 0 0 1256012 1461702 0 0 0 2717082 3288068 3973094 4749770 384362 834385 1850705 2632282 206685 321510 1644020 2310772 X THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. (ACA) PURPOSE SHALL BE THE PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. ACA ALSO PROVIDES REGULATORY, TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRY INFORMATION TO ITS MEMBERS. 0 0 ACA IS IN ITS 22ND YEAR SERVING MEMBERS AND ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF INDEPENDENT CABLE COMPANIES SO THEY CAN DELIVER THE BEST IN ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO CONNECT HOMETOWN AMERICA.KEY DEVELOPMENTS 2015ACA COMMENDS FCC FOR ENSURING DBS REGULATORY FEES WILL SUPPORT MEDIA BUREAUAMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING THE FCC'S DECISION TO REQUIRE DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE PROVIDERS DIRECTV AND DISH TO PAY REGULATORY FEES IN SUPPORT OF THE MEDIA BUREAU'S OVERSIGHT OF MULTICHANNEL VIDEO PROGRAMMING DISTRIBUTORS (MVPDS): "ACA IS VERY PLEASED WITH THE FCC'S DECISION TO ADJUST ITS REGULATORY FEE SCHEDULE TO ENSURE THAT DIRECTV AND DISH WILL PAY FEES TO SHARE THE SUPPORT BURDEN OF THE MEDIA BUREAU'S OVERSIGHT OF CABLE OPERATORS, DBS PROVIDERS, AND IPTV PROVIDERS. IT WAS LONG UNJUST TO REQUIRE CABLE AND IPTV PROVIDERS TO FOOT THE REGULATORY BILL FOR WORK OF THE MEDIA BUREAU THAT BENEFITED BOTH CABLE AND SATELLITE TV PROVIDERS. THE FCC'S ACTION - WHICH ACA HAS SOUGHT FOR MANY YEARS - IS PRO-COMPETITIVE BECAUSE IT RECOGNIZES THAT ALL OF THESE PROVIDERS COMPETE IN THE SAME VIDEO DISTRIBUTION MARKET AND BECAUSE IT BEGINS THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING REGULATORY-FEE PARITY BETWEEN SMALL, LOCALLY BASED INDEPENDENT CABLE OPERATORS EACH SERVING THOUSANDS OF SUBSCRIBERS AND LARGE NATIONAL SATELLITE TV GIANTS SERVING TENS OF MILLIONS. "ATTAINING FULL REGULATORY FEE PARITY WILL TAKE SOME TIME UNDER THE FCC'S NEW APPROACH. IN FISCAL 2015, UNDER THE FCC'S PROPOSAL, CABLE AND IPTV PROVIDERS WILL PAY $61.3 MILLION OR $0.95 PER VIDEO SUBSCRIBER IN REGULATORY FEES, AND DBS WILL PAY $4.1 MILLION OR $0.12 PER VIDEO SUBSCRIBER TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE MEDIA BUREAU. HOWEVER, THIS IS A GOOD START. THE FCC'S ACTIONS WILL DROP THE PER VIDEO SUBSCRIBER RATE FOR CABLE TV SYSTEMS, INCLUDING IPTV, BY $.04 PER VIDEO SUBSCRIBER FROM FISCAL 2014. "IN ITS FURTHER NOTICE, THE FCC IS SEEKING COMMENT ON WHETHER THE RATE PAID BY DBS SHOULD INCREASE OVER TIME OR IF THIS FEE CATEGORY SHOULD BE TRANSITIONED TO AN MVPD CATEGORY TOGETHER WITH CABLE TELEVISION AND IPTV. ACA, WHICH BELIEVES THAT ALL VIDEO PROVIDERS SHOULD BE PAYING THE EXACT SAME REGULATORY FEES SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE MEDIA BUREAU, APPLAUDS THE FCC FOR ASKING THESE FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS." FCC SUPPORTS MOST VULNERABLE SMALL OPERATORS ON PASS THROUGH OF EMERGENCY INFORMATIONAMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DECISION BY THE MEDIA BUREAU TO GRANT WAIVERS OF THE EMERGENCY INFORMATION RULE TO SMALL AND FINANCIALLY CONSTRAINED CABLE SYSTEMS: "ACA UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FCC'S REQUIREMENT THAT EMERGENCY INFORMATION PROVIDED VISUALLY DURING NON-NEWSCAST VIDEO PROGRAMMING BE MADE AUDIBLY ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED; THEREFORE, ACA IS DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE MEDIA BUREAU'S DECISION TO GRANT ACA'S REQUEST FOR A PAIR OF NARROWLY TAILORED WAIVERS FOR CERTAIN ANALOG-ONLY AND HYBRID ANALOG/DIGITAL SYSTEMS FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO PASS THROUGH THE EMERGENCY INFORMATION ON A SECONDARY AUDIO STREAM. THESE WAIVERS WILL GIVE SOME VERY SMALL AND FINANCIALLY CONSTRAINED CABLE SYSTEMS SERVING A TINY PROPORTION OF CABLE SUBSCRIBERS THE MUCH-NEEDED ADDITIONAL TIME TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE PASS-THROUGH RULE AND ALLOW OTHER SYSTEMS TO SERVE THEIR SUBSCRIBERS THROUGH THE ALTERNATIVE OF PROVIDING FREE SET-TOP BOXES TO ENABLE ACCESS TO AUDIBLE EMERGENCY INFORMATION. "BY TAKING THESE MEASURED STEPS, THE MEDIA BUREAU ENSURES THE INTERESTS OF THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED COMMUNITY ARE SERVED AS INTENDED BY THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO ACCESSIBILITY ACT (CVAA) AND AVOIDS CAUSING EITHER UNDUE FINANCIAL BURDENS TO SMALL OPERATORS OR THE SUSPENSION OF CABLE SERVICE TO SMALLER AND HARDER TO SERVE COMMUNITIES - A 'WIN-WIN' SOLUTION FOR CONSUMERS AND PROVIDERS ALIKE." ACA APPLAUDS FCC'S FINDING CABLE SYSTEMS FACE EFFECTIVE COMPETITIONAMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING THE FCC'S DECISION TO ADOPT A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT CABLE SYSTEMS ARE SUBJECT TO EFFECTIVE COMPETITION NATIONALLY: "THE PAY TELEVISION MARKET HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, AND THE FCC SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR PROMPTLY AND FULLY CARRYING OUT CONGRESS' INSTRUCTION (ENACTED LAST YEAR) TO STREAMLINE CERTAIN RULES THAT WERE PARTICULARLY HARMFUL TO SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS. "BY ELIMINATING A 22-YEAR-OLD PRESUMPTION THAT CABLE OPERATORS DO NOT FACE EFFECTIVE COMPETITION, THE FCC WILL SAVE INDEPENDENT CABLE OPERATORS FROM INCURRING THE LARGE LEGAL AND DATA-COLLECTION COSTS TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE FCC'S SATISFACTION THAT THEY FACE STIFF COMPETITION FROM BOTH DISH AND DIRECTV AND IN MANY CASES FROM AT&T U-VERSE OR VERIZON FIOS. ALTHOUGH DISAPPOINTED THAT ALL ASPECTS OF THE ORDER DID NOT RECEIVE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT, ACA APPRECIATES THAT ALL FIVE FCC COMMISSIONERS AGREED THAT THE NEW PRESUMPTION IN FAVOR OF EFFECTIVE COMPETITION WAS APPROPRIATE FOR SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS. "REGULATION IS USED AS A PROXY FOR COMPETITION. WHEN ROBUST COMPETITION EXISTS AS IT DOES IN THE PAY-TV MARKET, REGULATIONS DO MORE HARM TO CONSUMER WELFARE THAN GOOD. THE FCC MADE THE RIGHT CALL AND SHOWED EVERYONE THAT A REGULATORY AGENCY HAS THE WILL TO TAKE REGULATION OFF AUTOPILOT. "ACA ALSO APPLAUDS THE HUNDREDS OF LAWMAKERS WHO VOTED LAST YEAR IN FAVOR OF THE SATELLITE TELEVISION EXTENSION AND LOCALISM ACT REAUTHORIZATION (STELAR), WHICH DIRECTED THE FCC TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR SMALLER OPERATORS TO OBTAIN A DETERMINATION OF EFFECTIVE COMPETITION IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. ACA ESPECIALLY APPRECIATES THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF REP. STEVE SCALISE (R-LA.) AND REP. ANNA ESHOO (D-CALIF.) AND THEIR RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT CONSUMERS BENEFIT FROM A BALANCED MARKETPLACE IN WHICH RULES DO NOT LIMIT CONSUMER CHOICE." FCC EXTENDIS HD CARRIAGE EXEMPTION FOR SMALLEST CABLE SYSTEMSAMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S ORDER TODAY EXTENDING THE BROADCAST TV HD CARRIAGE EXEMPTION FOR THE SMALLEST CABLE TV PROVIDERS: "ACA COMMENDS THE FCC FOR EXTENDING THE HD CARRIAGE EXEMPTION PERMANENTLY FOR SOME OF THE SMALLEST CABLE SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY THAT OFFER NO HD PROGRAMMING AT ALL. THIS DECISION LIKELY MEANS THAT SOME OF THE MOST FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE CABLE SYSTEMS CAN STAY IN BUSINESS AND PROVIDE COMPETITIVE CHOICE INSTEAD OF BEING SWAMPED BY EXPENSES INCURRED EITHER TO COMPLY WITH THE FCC'S PROHIBITION ON THE 'MATERIAL DEGRADATION' OF HD BROADCAST SIGNALS OR TO FILE INDIVIDUAL WAIVER REQUESTS WITH THE AGENCY. "THE FCC'S TRANSITION MECHANISM FOR SYSTEMS THAT HAVE BEEN AVAILING THEMSELVES OF THE PREVIOUS HD EXEMPTION BUT WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE NEW HD EXEMPTION BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE SOME PROGRAMMING IN HD IS A FAIR COMPROMISE AS IT WILL ALLOW THEM ADEQUATE TIME TO EITHER COME INTO COMPLIANCE OR SEEK INDIVIDUAL WAIVERS. "ACA BELIEVES THAT THE FCC'S NEW DEFINITION OF A SMALL SYSTEM ELIGIBLE FOR THE HD EXEMPTION AND THE ASSOCIATED TRANSITION MECHANISM ARE APPROPRIATE." ACA APPLAUDS ESHOO-WALDEN BROADBAND CONDUIT DEPLOYMENT BILLAMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING INTRODUCTION OF THE BROADBAND CONDUIT DEPLOYMENT ACT OF 2015 AUTHORED BY REP. ANNA ESHOO (D-CALIF.), RANKING MEMBER ON THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, AND REP. GREG WALDEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY: "THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS RANKING MEMBER ESHOO AND CHAIRMAN WALDEN ON THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO REQUIRE STATES TO EVALUATE THE NEED TO INSTALL BROADBAND CONDUIT WHEN BUILDING HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE USING FEDERAL FUNDS. IN ADDITION, IF A STATE DETERMINES THERE IS SUCH A NEED IN THE NEXT 15 YEARS, THEN THE STATE WILL ENSURE THAT THE HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT INCLUDES SUFFICIENT BROADBAND CONDUIT. "ACA SUPPORTS THE ESHOO-WALDEN BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT BILL BECAUSE IT WILL FURTHER REDUCE THE COST OF LAYING THOUSANDS OF MILES OF FIBER OPTIC LINES BY PRIVATE BUSINESSES. IT'S ALSO A WIN FOR TAXPAYERS BECAUSE THE FISCALLY PRUDENT 'DIG ONCE' APPROACH CHAMPIONED BY THE ESHOO-WALDEN BILL IS DESIGNED TO USE SCARCE FEDERAL ROAD-CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS TO MEET MULTIPLE IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTIVES. 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 52 0 1 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 19 19 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 X ROBERT SHEMA 4129228300 875 GREENTREE ROAD 7 PARKWAY CENTER PITTSBURGH PA 15220 X JIM BEATTIE DIRECTOR (EXITED 07/2015) 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BILL BEATY DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ALLAN BLOCK DIRECTOR (EXITED 10/2015) 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LESLIE BROWN DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JIM BRUDER DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BRYAN CIPOLETTI DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN CONRAD DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN GDOVIN DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JIM GLEASON DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICK KNORR DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CATHY KUO DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TOM LARSEN DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 EARLE MACKENZIE DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TOM MIGHT DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TERRY NIDIFFER DIRECTOR (EXITED 07/2015) 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW PETERSEN DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TINA PIDGEON DIRECTOR (ENTERED 07/2015) 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 VIN ZACHARIAH DIRECTOR (ENTERED 07/2015) 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT GESSNER CHAIRMAN 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 PATTY BOYERS VICE CHAIRMAN 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 MARTIN BROPHY TREASURER 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 LEAANN QUIST SECRETARY 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 MATTHEW M POLKA PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 0.00 X 317744 0 27449 ROBERT E SHEMA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 0.00 X 176464 0 22056 ROSS J LIEBERMAN VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 0.00 X 217011 0 23845 EDWARD T HEARN VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 0.00 X 152647 0 16984 863866 0 90334 4 0 1 0 ALPINE GROUP 500 NORTH CAPITOL ST NW 210 WASHINGTON DC 20001 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONSULTING 458450 CINNAMON MUELLER 307 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE SUITE 102 CHICAGO IL 60601 FCC CONSULTING/LEGAL 435041 KELLEY DRYE 101 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK NY 10178 FCC CONSULTING/LEGAL 408746 MOLO LAMKEN 600 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20037 LEGAL 233591 CARTESIAN TWO FINANCIAL CENTER 60 SOUTH ST BOSTON MA 02111 RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS 205080 6 MEMBER DUES 900099 5303228 5303228 MEETING SPONSORSHIPS 900099 156400 156400 REGISTRATION FEES 900099 62893 62893 EXHIBIT FEES 900099 52500 52500 5575021 2361 2361 152 -152 -152 -152 BANNER ADS 900099 6750 6750 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 175 175 6925 5584155 5575021 0 9134 954201 381541 11101 42259 72600 1237187 18498 505586 268629 43058 93601 66863 216847 268809 15116 9425 POLICY SUPPORT 479705 DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS 49349 TRAINING 866 14529 4749770 727808 898699 317993 318311 644657 861108 46382 30809 165102 96700 14332 68402 99533 454953 1850705 2632282 25074 175073 16303 14190 165308 132247 206685 321510 X 1644020 2310772 1644020 2310772 1850705 2632282 X 834385 -4580 -163053 X X 0 1 X 0 0 0 0 0 5303228 505586 505586 1156326 -650740 13625 13625 0 61476 23084 38392 90001 59991 30010 68402 MEMBER DUES ADVANCED - LONG TERM 132247 132247 X 5579575 -4580 -4580 5584155 0 5584155 4749770 0 4749770 0 4749770 PART X, LINE 2: FOR TAX PURPOSES, THE ASSOCIATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(6) OF THE IRC AND IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES IS RECORDED IN THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE ASSOCIATION'S POLICY IS TO ACCRUE INTEREST AND PENALTIES RELATED TO UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS IN INCOME TAX EXPENSE, IF ANY, AS A COMPONENT OF OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. THE ASSOCIATION HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS REQUIRING AN ACCRUAL OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE STATUTORY TAX YEARS 2012, 2013 AND 2014 REMAIN OPEN TO EXAMINATION. X X X X 0 0 0 MATTHEW M POLKA PRESIDENT & CEO 292236 0 25250 0 258 0 8380 0 19069 0 345193 0 0 0 ROBERT E SHEMA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT 160976 0 15350 0 138 0 5025 0 17031 0 198520 0 0 0 ROSS J LIEBERMAN VICE PRESIDENT 201476 0 15350 0 185 0 5026 0 18819 0 240856 0 0 0 EDWARD T HEARN VICE PRESIDENT 138680 0 13500 0 467 0 0 0 16984 0 169631 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 3 THE PRESIDENT & CEO, MATTHEW M. POLKA, IS THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A "ACA SHARES WITH REPS. ESHOO AND WALDEN THAT 'DIG ONCE' IS A COMMONSENSE RESPONSE TO EVIDENCE THAT INSTALLING CONDUIT FOR BROADBAND COULD PRODUCE LARGE SAVINGS BASED ON FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION (FHA) ESTIMATES THAT IT IS TEN TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE TO DIG UP AND REPAIR AN EXISTING ROAD TO LAY FIBER THAN TO DIG A CHANNEL FOR IT WHEN THE ROAD IS BEING BUILT OR REPAIRED." FCC'S NEW POLE ATTACHMENT ORDER AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S ADOPTION OF AN ORDER DESIGNED TO BRING PARITY TO RATES FOR ATTACHMENTS TO UTILITY POLES PAID BY CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS AT THE CABLE RATE FORMULA LEVEL: "ACA IS PLEASED WITH THE FCC'S ADOPTION OF THE NEW POLE ATTACHMENT ORDER. BY PREVENTING POLE OWNERS FROM INCREASING ATTACHMENT RATES PAID BY CABLE PROVIDERS, THE DECISION ADDRESSES A MAJOR CONCERN OF ACA MEMBERS THAT THE FCC'S ACTION IN THE OPEN INTERNET ORDER CLASSIFYING BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE AS A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE WILL DETER CABLE OPERATORS FROM INVESTING IN THEIR BROADBAND NETWORKS. WHILE ACA CONTINUES TO OPPOSE THE FCC'S DECISION TO RECLASSIFY BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE, THE INDEPENDENT CABLE COMMUNITY APPRECIATES THAT THE FCC'S EFFORT TO MITIGATE SOME OF THE HARM TO INVESTMENT IN NETWORKS FROM THIS ORDER BY ENSURING THE RATE FORMULA FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WILL PRODUCE POLE ATTACHMENT RATES AT PARITY WITH THE CABLE FORMULA. THIS DECISION ALSO WILL HARMONIZE ATTACHMENT RATES OVERSEEN BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE RATES OVERSEEN BY MANY STATES." ACA COMMENDS MCCAIN-BLUMENTHAL BILL TO BAN TV SPORTS BLACKOUTS ACA PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE REINTRODUCTION OF THE FURTHERING ACCESS AND NETWORKS FOR SPORTS ACT OF 2015 (FANS ACT) BY U.S. SENATORS JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ.) AND RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT.): "ACA COMMENDS U.S. SENS. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ.) AND RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT.) ON REINTRODUCING THEIR BILL DESIGNED TO SHIELD SPORTS FAN FROM TV BLACKOUTS ENABLED BY AN OUTDATED ANTITRUST LAW THAT IS BEING UNFAIRLY LEVERAGED BY PRIVATE INDUSTRY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE VIEWING PUBLIC." "CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SUFFER THROUGH TV SPORTS BLACKOUTS WHEN THEIR TAX DOLLARS GO TO ASSIST TEAMS VIA FUNDING SUPPORT FOR STADIUM CONSTRUCTION AND ASSOCIATED PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE WHILE THE TEAMS EACH RAKE IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REVENUE A YEAR FROM TV CONTRACTS." "IN MAKING RELEVANT ADJUSTMENTS TO ANTITRUST LAW, THE FANS ACT BILL CORRECTLY COMES TO THE DEFENSE OF TV VIEWERS BY EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATING THE NFL'S TV BLACKOUT RULE, BY CURTAILING SPORTS BLACKOUTS DURING CONTRACT DISPUTES BETWEEN BROADCASTERS AND CABLE AND SATELLITE TV DISTRIBUTORS, AND BY ENSURING HOME GAMES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET WHEN THE GAME IS UNAVAILABLE ON TELEVISION. ACA AGREES WITH THE SENATORS THE TIME HAS COME 'TO SPIKE SPORTS BLACKOUTS ONCE AND FOR ALL." FCC CONSUMER AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU TO EXTEND THE ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY EXEMPTION AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING THE FCC'S CONSUMER AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU'S ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE SMALL ISP EXEMPTION FROM THE ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY RULES: "ACA APPRECIATES THE DECISION OF THE FCC'S CONSUMER AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU TO EXTEND FOR ONE YEAR THE SMALL BUSINESS EXEMPTION FROM THE OPEN INTERNET ORDER'S ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS, EVEN THOUGH ACA BELIEVES THE RECORD SUPPORTED A PERMANENT EXEMPTION NOW." "BY NEXT DECEMBER, THE FCC MAY HAVE COMPLETED THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PROCESS, WHICH WILL PROVIDE GREATER INSIGHT AS TO THE OPERATION OF THE ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS AND THE COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS. THE FCC ALSO MAY HAVE ISSUED FURTHER GUIDANCE THAT CLARIFIES HOW SMALLER PROVIDERS MAY DISCLOSE THEIR NETWORK'S PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND ALLEVIATES CONCERNS REGARDING INADVERTENT NON-COMPLIANCE. ACA THUS UNDERSTANDS THE BUREAU'S POSITION THAT IT MAKES SENSE TO ADDRESS EXTENDING OR MAKING PERMANENT THE SMALL BUSINESS EXEMPTION ONCE THESE ACTIONS ARE COMPLETED." "ACA IS PLEASED THAT THE EXEMPTION DID NOT EXPIRE AND THAT THE CHAIRMAN COMMITTED TO BRINGING BEFORE THE FULL COMMISSION BY NEXT DEC. 16 THE QUESTION OF FURTHER EXTENDING OR MAKING THE EXEMPTION PERMANENT. ACA COMMENDS COMMISSIONER CLYBURN FOR HER CEASELESS EFFORTS TO PROTECT SMALL BUSINESSES AND COMMISSIONER O'RIELLY FOR UNDERSTANDING THAT SMALLER ISPS DO NOT HAVE THE LEVERAGE TO HARM CONSUMERS OR EDGE PROVIDERS. ACA LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE FCC DURING THE NEXT YEAR AS IT FLESHES OUT AND SEEKS CLEARANCE FOR ITS ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET UNDER THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT." FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1 AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRPERSON, VICE CHAIRPERSON, TREASURER AND TWO (2) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO: - THE APPROVAL OF ANY ACTION FOR WHICH THE NONPROFIT LAW ALSO REQUIRES APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERS; - THE FILING OF VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE WHICH HAS THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD; - THE FIXING OF COMPENSATION OF THE DIRECTORS FOR SERVING ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE; - THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF BYLAWS OR THE ADOPTION OF NEW BYLAWS; - THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF ANY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD WHICH BY ITS EXPRESS TERMS IS NOT SO AMENDABLE OR REPEALABLE; - THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OR THE MEMBERS THEREOF; - THE EXPENDITURE OF CORPORATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT A NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR AFTER THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE NOMINATED FOR DIRECTOR THAN CAN BE ELECTED; OR - WITH RESPECT TO ASSEST HELD IN CHARITABLE TRUST, THE APPROVAL OF ANY SELF-DEALING TRANSACTION AS DEFINED BY SECTION 5728 OF THE NONPROFIT LAW OR ANY SUCCESSOR SECTION THERETO, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY LAW. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. SHALL HAVE ONE (1) CLASS OF VOTING MEMBERS. ONLY CABLE TELEVISION BUSINESSES MAY BECOME VOTING MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS AR A REGULAR OR SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS CALLED FOR SUCH PURPOSES OR BY WRITTEN BALLOT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, AT ANY MEETING OF THE MEMBERS WHERE DIRECTORS ARE TO BE ELECTED, EACH MEMBER SHALL DESIGNATE A PROXY TO CAST SUCH MEMBER'S VOTE FOR DIRECTORS AT A MEETING CALLED AND HELD FOR SUCH PURPOSES. AT THE MEETING CALLED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, EACH SUCH PROXY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST THE NUMBER OF VOTES HELD FOR EACH OFFICE OF DIRECTOR TO BE FILLED, WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO CUMULATE VOTES. IN ANY ELECTION OF DIRECTORS BY MEMBERS, THE CANDIDATES RECEIVING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES ARE ELECTED. ONLY THOSE PERSONS NOMINATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THE BYLAWS MAY STAND FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE TREASURER. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE EVP OF FINANCE REVIEWS SEVERAL (5 OR MORE) SIMILAR ASSOCIATION FORM 990'S FOR CEO COMPENSATION. THIS INCLUDES ASSOCIATIONS BOTH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE EVP OF FINANCE PURCHASES THE CEO UPDATE SALARY GUIDE FOR NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND NON-PROFITS AND CREATES A COMPENSATION PROPOSAL FOR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SHARES THIS PROPOSAL WITH THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD DETERMINES THE CEO'S COMPENSATION. THE EVP OF FINANCE USES THE SAME PROCESS FOR ALL OFFICERS AND PRESENTS THE COMPENSATION SUGGESTIONS TO THE CEO. THE CEO DETERMINES THE COMPENSATION FOR ALL OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION. THE COMPENSATION FOR THE REMAINING STAFF MEMBERS IS REVIEWED BY THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION AND IS APPROVED BY THE FULL BOARD AS PART OF THE BUDGET APPROVAL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 NO DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. FORM 990, PART VII, EMERITUS TRUSTEES: THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS SERVE ON THE BOARD OF AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. WITH NO VOTING RIGHTS: DICK BEARD; PAT THOMPSON; COLLEEN ABDOULAH; AND DOUG FULLER. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: RESTATEMENT FOR BASIS OF ACCOUNTING -163,053. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 1: IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE ASSOCIATION PREPARED ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON A MODIFIED CASH BASIS OF ACCOUNTING, WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE BASIS OF ACCOUNTING OTHER THAN U.S. GAAP. IN 2015, THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED ON THE ACCRUAL BASIS OF ACCOUNTING, IN CONFORMITY WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES. MANAGEMENT ALSO BELIEVES THAT THE ACCRUAL BASIS OF ACCOUNTING MORE ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE ASSOCIATION'S FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.