Supporting Local Journalism Supports Our Community

The Local Journalism Sustainability Act (LJSA) was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and has now been introduced in the U.S. Senate – and if passed, will benefit every member of our community.

Unlike many issues in Washington, D.C., this legislation has bipartisan support and is focused on delivering benefits to local communities across the U.S. by sustaining local news organizations, including this newspaper, the Morrisons Cove Herald.

Newspapers are facing significant challenges due to technological disruption, including Google’s and Facebook’s use of newspapers’ content without compensation. This legislation provides an important but temporary means of support to help newspapers with needed transition, and it deserves the support of congressional representatives across the country.

The bill encourages the behaviors needed to make changes to the news business model. Please join your local newspaper in calling on members of Congress to support this legislation.

The LJSA has been designed to provide a much-needed boost to newspapers. What it isn’t is a permanent handout for local newspapers. Instead, it’s a well-thought-out approach to help sustain local newsgathering efforts through a series of tax credits that expire in five years. It not only will provide aid to newspapers, but also to subscribers and local small businesses through tax credits that will benefit them directly.

Newspaper subscribers already understand the importance of their local newspaper and that their continued support is critical. Through this legislation, subscribers will receive a tax credit of up to $250 per year. It’s a win-win for subscribers, as this tax credit will cover a significant part of their annual newspaper subscription, no matter if it’s print or digital.

For local businesses, there’s a direct benefit from the LJSA as well. When they use the effective print and digital solutions of their local newspaper, they will be eligible for a tax credit up to $5,000 the first year and $2,500 per year for the next four years.

Not only will this credit offset some of the advertising investment, it also will help them improve their business by reaching more customers and generating more sales. It keeps money invested locally and helps maintain jobs and support other local initiatives.

For local newspapers, the LJSA provides a much-needed bridge to continue the evolution toward a digital-based model. The temporary tax credits for newspapers will be tied directly to maintaining healthy newsrooms and employing professional journalists committed to producing local news and information. The benefits will be local, not redirected to national media organizations, and provide local readers with continued access to the content that’s most important to their lives.

However, in order for the LJSA to provide these benefits to subscribers, local businesses and newspapers, it needs the support from members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. The best way for that to happen is for them to hear directly from their constituents and supporters.

To support the future of local newspapers, reach out to your representatives and encourage them to support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, and – in turn – support the communities they serve. There’s a benefit for everyone.

On behalf of its approximately 1,500 newspaper and associate member companies, America’s Newspapers is committed to explaining, defending and advancing the vital role of newspapers in democracy and civil life. We put an emphasis on educating the public on all the ways newspapers contribute to building a community identity and the success of local businesses.

Learn more at http://www.newspapers.org

Editor’s Note: This was written by Dean Ridings, CEO, America’s Newspapers. He can be reached at [email protected]

Contact information for

congresspersons and senators

U.S. Representative

Serving Bedford, Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties is Rep. Dr. John Joyce, 13th U.S. Congressional District

Website: https://johnjoyce.house.gov/

Washington, D.C., Office

1337 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-2431

US. Senators

Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr.

Website: https://www.casey.senate.gov/

Washington, D.C., Office

393 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

Phone: (202) 224-6324

Toll-free number:(866) 802-2833

Fax: (202) 228-0604

Sen. Patrick J. Toomey

Website: https://www.toomey.senate.gov/

Washington, D.C., Office

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 224-4254

Fax: (202) 228-0284