Legislatures don’t move at the speed of newsrooms.
The California legislature now moves into its second year of addressing its state’s shrinking newsrooms. The cry of the Democratic majority is clear: “Save local news.” Yet those three seemingly simple words — “save”, “local” and “news” — have slowed progress, as legislators parse how the new law may affect each of the three. Despite these still-astounding numbers of loss, aid has been stalled: In California, since 2004, we have lost an astounding 68% of journalists, as well as 25% of our newspapers; total print news circulation has dropped more than 50%.
After more than 12 months of on-and-off discussion, we now seem to be in the season of decision. Last Wednesday, State Senator Steve Glazer introduced his long-awaited bill, SB-1327, which he says could contribute as much as $500 million a year toward reviving local news in California. This Wednesday, the bill gets its first hearing and vote in Glazer’s Taxation and Revenue Committee.
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