MADISON, Wis. -- Concerns over how much it will cost the state to license telecommunications companies and field consumer complaints likely will delay passage of a fast-tracked bill designed to increase cable competition in Wisconsin.

The proposal was scheduled for consideration in both the state Senate and Assembly on Tuesday.

But now it appears the Senate will instead be sending the bill to the budget committee to get a better handle on how much it will cost.

The measure's sponsor in the Assembly didn't respond to messages to see whether that decision will stop it from passing that chamber on Tuesday.

The bill is strongly supported by AT&T as a way to ease its entrance into the Wisconsin cable market. The proposal would remove the 30-year-old practice of letting local communities negotiate service agreements and instead have the state do it.