The 2016 NTCA Legislative & Policy Conference kicked off April 18, as more than 450 RLEC representatives convened at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
The day featured Washington insights, with timely updates and perspectives from federal agencies and the Hill, including representatives from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the FCC and FirstNet. Panel discussions addressed state and local perspectives on communications policy. The NTCA policy team provided an overview of the most pressing telco issues, including “right sizing” USF, video issues, the set-top box proposal, interconnection and USF, rural call completion and the excise tax.
Randy Houdek, general manager of Venture Communications Cooperative (Highmore, S.D.), received the Grassroots Advocate of the Year Award in recognition of his longstanding support of NTCA’s advocacy efforts.
Following Tuesday morning’s opening remarks by Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (R–Ala.) and Sen. John N. Boozman (R–Ark.), NTCA members were set to take to the Hill and federal agencies to tell their stories during dozens of scheduled appointments.
A PAC/RTAF fundraising event, “Jersey Boys” at the National Theater,” was expected to provide an entertaining ending to the conference. Check out more photos from the event.