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Local News is Good for Business
Local News is Good for BusinessLocal News is Good for BusinessLocal News is Good for Business
Local News is Good for Business
Community News and Small Business Support Act Introduced
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-1), both members of the Ways and Means Committee, introduced the Community News & Small Business Support Act.
The bipartisan legislation supports two institutions critical to sustaining our hometown communities: local news organizations and small businesses.
Hometown news, unlike national media, is non-partisan and fundamental to the fabric of our local communities. The Community News & Small Business Support Act:
- Brings back local jobs to community newsrooms.
- Strengthens Main Street businesses.
- Increases access to information that reflects hometown values.
The Community News & Small Business Support Act delivers on this promise with content-neutral tax credits, sunsetting in five years, for (1) hometown news organizations to employ community-based local journalists and (2) small businesses for marketing themselves with their local media organizations. National news outlets are not eligible for these tax credits.
Find out more about the Community News & Small Business Act here.
Q&A: Rep. DelBene on new bill to save local journalism
From The Seattle Times
By Brier Dudley
Seattle Times Free Press editor
One of the most promising policy ideas to stop the decimation of local newsrooms is back in play. Federal tax credits to preserve newsroom jobs, and incentivize publishers to create more of them, were nearly approved as part of spending packages in 2021 and 2022.
Now a scaled-back version is proposed by U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney, a New York Republican, and Suzan DelBene, a Washington Democrat.
(Patrick Semansky / The Associated Press, 2022)
Sponsor: Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY)
"I understand how essential it is to support local newspapers..."
“As the former owner and publisher of the Mid-York Weekly, a local weekly newspaper, I understand how essential it is to support local newspapers and provide our communities with locally-sourced news.
“The Community News and Small Business Support Act ensures that local newspapers can continue to deliver vital news stories that matter most to our communities while allowing for our small businesses to grow and our communities to stay informed. I am thrilled to introduce this bill alongside Congresswoman DelBene and will continue to advocate for local newspapers and small businesses."
Original Cosponsor: Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA)
"In today’s digital world, access to trustworthy and reliable news is more important than ever."
“In today’s digital world, access to trustworthy and reliable news is more important than ever. Local journalists and newspapers play a critical role in increasing involvement in civic institutions, identifying government corruption, and decreasing polarization. Yet, this industry is struggling more than ever to keep the lights on.
“The legislation we are introducing today would provide much-needed support for newspapers so local journalists can continue their invaluable work."
Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA)
Americans recognize the importance of local newspapers
Americans don’t always agree on a lot of things. But they do agree that newspapers are important to part of a healthy community. In fact, 74% of all adults believe that it is important to have a local newspaper provide community news and information. And that’s true across all age groups and other demographic segments. Whether it’s in print or online, Americans turn to local newspapers to stay informed about what’s most important to them.
Local Newspaper Readers are Engaged Consumers
More likely to purchase goods and services from local businesses
Almost 6 out of 10 Americans use newspaper advertising to help them decide what brands, products and local services to buy. Newspaper readers are active consumers! Newspaper readers have purchased or plan to purchase local goods and services at a much higher rate than non-newspaper readers.
