Our Process
Our model bill was based on the bills introduced in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Maryland and legislation introduced nationally over the last four years. At the federal level, we’re grateful to lawmakers like Rep. Claudia Tenney, Rep. Suzanne DelBene, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, and Rep. Dan Newhouse for introducing the Small Business and Community News Support Act as well as the Local Journalism Sustainability Act over the last two Congressional sessions. Colorado Rep. Lisa Cutter, Rep. Tod Novak of Wisconsin, and Delegates Joe Vogel and Linda Foley of Maryland championed these policies in their states. Local partners advocated for these policies at the state level – Tim Regan-Porter of the Colorado Press Association, Melissa Davis of the Colorado Media Project, Rebecca Snyder of the Maryland, D.C. and Delaware Press Association, and Beth Bennett of the Wisconsin Press Association. Our guidance deeply reflects their experience advocating for policies that benefit both small businesses and local media in their jurisdictions. Sarah Price of the Maryland Retailers Association offered helpful feedback from the perspective of small, local businesses.
Gabe Rottman of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press drafted our model law.
We’re grateful to the participants of our October workshop on small business advertising, including Lenora Howze of The AFRO American Newspapers, Zulema Tijero of El Tiempo Latino, Marta McLellan Ross of NPR, and many more. Liz White was an invaluable resource, graciously explaining the structure and benefits of the Meriden Business Boost program. Our steering committee gave us useful feedback on early drafts of the report. The recommendations in this report reflect conversations had over the last year with those expressing concern that the policy benefits would be limited to the small businesses with liquid capital to spend on advertising. If you have feedback or further questions, please contact annabrugmann@rebuildlocalnews.org.
As a coalition, we are only as strong as our members. We are fortunate to be joined by many dedicated partners in our efforts to build a stronger, more inclusive local press.
About Rebuild Local News
Rebuild Local News is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to developing public policies to strengthen local news. It manages the Rebuild Local News Coalition, which includes 30 national and state groups representing over 3,000 local newsrooms. The Coalition’s membership is broad and diverse, including weeklies and dailies, for-profits and nonprofits, labor unions and publishers, Black and Hispanic publishers, national nonprofits revitalizing local news, and civic organizations committed to strengthening democracy.