Senator Murray is a cosponsor of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, which would incentivize support of vital local news outlets
Senator Murray previously pushed to expand the local newspapers eligible for pension relief as part of the American Rescue Plan
In 2019, Senator Murray helped pass the SECURE Act, which included the Save Community Newspapers Act, and provided much-needed pension relief to community newspapers in states across the country in order to avoid significant layoffs and cutbacks
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the chair of the Senate pensions committee, released the following statement on the need to support local journalism after the Walla Walla Union Bulletin announced it would be reducing its print schedule to three days a week. This announcement comes a month after the Yakima Herald also announced it would be moving to only printing three days a week. Even as digital audiences grow, local news needs Congressional action to help level the playing field and provide a real pathway to financial viability.
“At the end of the day, local newspapers and other local news outlets are more than just local businesses—they’re a vital part of our communities and our democratic system,” said Senator Murray. “For generations, newspaper reporters have been the ones who have done the digging, sat through the meetings, and broken the hard stories. As chair of the Senate pensions committee, I was able to secure major pension relief for local newspapers through the SECURE Act and in the American Rescue Plan—and that was a great start, but more still needs to be done to save local journalism. The next step we have to take is passing the Local Journalism Sustainability Act—led by my friend Senator Cantwell—to help give local news outlets a chance to compete and grow. When our newspapers close, reduce printing frequency, or become takeover targets by media conglomerates, hedge funds, or private equity companies, our democracy suffers. Misinformation and disinformation don’t grow in a vacuum—we also know that when local news disappears, we see more partisan and divided communities. Saving local journalism is fundamental to the future of our democracy, so I feel strongly that we have to get the Local Journalism Sustainability Act across the finish line.”
Senator Murray is a cosponsor of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act (LJSA) led by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The LJSA would provide a pathway to financial viability for local news in various local media, including newspapers, digital-only publications, television and radio stations, through a series of tax credits as they have been under financial pressure from both the pandemic and revenue loss from unfair and abusive practices by tech platforms. For more information on the LJSA, see a fact sheet on the bill HERE.
Senator Murray has long emphasized the important role that local journalism plays in our country. In 2019, Senator Murray helped pass the SECURE Act, which included the Save Community Newspapers Act, providing community newspapers in states across the country much-needed pension relief in order to avoid significant layoffs and cutbacks. Senator Murray also secured provisions in the American Rescue Plan to expand the newspapers eligible for this significant relief.
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