REP. HAROLD FORD (D-TN)

On September 8, 1993, Rep. Ford purchased between 15,000 and 50,000 dollars worth of stock in Video Jukebox Network Inc (based in Miami, FL). Video Jukebox is a pay-per-view music video service operating in 102 cities. Thirteen days later (September 21), Rep. Ford sold his stock in Video Jukebox (valued in the 50,000 to 100,000 dollar range). According to NASDAQ stock reports, Rep. Ford's possible capital gain from this transaction is 33 percent.

During the same period of time, the House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee held hearings to consider misc. revenue proposals. Hearings were held on September 8, 1993 and September 21, 1993. One of the proposals considered was a move to extend the Communications Excise Tax to include cable television (at a rate of 3.0 percent).

POLITICAL MONEY NOTES: Rep. Ford reports receiving campaign contributions in 1993 from Ronnie Flippo ($500) and John Dudinsky ($500). Dudinsky's former lobbying partner is John Mica; R-FL). Both Flippo and Dudinsky were actively lobbying for telecommunications interests during 1993. Flippo, interestingly, was hired by South Central Bell (a key player in the proposed TCI Bell Atlantic merger). Since 1987, Rep. Ford has accepted $7,500 from South Central Bell, including $2,000 from a South Central executive (Thomas W. Thompson). Rep. Ford has also accepted $500 from the Bell Atlantic PAC and $4,500 from the Bell South Telecommunications PAC.

NOTES: Rep. Ford is # 7 on the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Ford's purchase of Video Jukebox is his only reported stock purchase over the years 1991-1993.