The Community News and Small Business Support Act (H.R. 4756), previously known as the Local Journalism Sustainability Act (LJSA), has been reintroduced in the House by sponsor Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and cosponsor Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA). The bill would provide important support for news organizations and local newspaper and broadcast advertisers in the form of a series of tax credits, including a refundable tax credit for local newspapers that would allow them to hire more dedicated local news journalists, and a non-refundable tax credit for small- to medium-sized businesses to advertise with local newspapers and broadcast outlets.
News/Media Alliance President & CEO Danielle Coffey stated, “We applaud Reps. Tenney and DelBene for introducing the Community News and Small Business Support Act and putting the needs of local communities first by supporting local news publishers, who provide critical journalism and information to Americans across the country. Without vital support such as tax credits for publishers and local businesses, publishers will not have the resources to continue investing in providing news and news deserts will continue to grow, making quality local journalism increasingly inaccessible to those who need it and allowing harmful mis- and disinformation to promulgate.”