A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Local Journalism Sustainability Act aims to provide tax incentives to support local newspapers and other local media. It introduces a tax credit for individuals who pay for subscriptions to local newspapers. The bill also establishes a payroll credit for eligible local newspaper publishers to compensate local news journalists. Additionally, it creates a credit for eligible small businesses that pay for advertising in local newspapers or local radio and television stations. These various tax credits are scheduled to last for a five-year period.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +5
Does this cut taxes for small businesses?
Small businesses receive tax credits for advertising in local media.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Provides direct advertising tax credits to businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Offers tax credits for local media advertising expenses.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Tax Credits for Newspaper Subscriptions: Individuals can receive a tax credit for paying for local newspaper subscriptions for personal use, which can be up to $250 per year (Section 2).
-
Support for News Journalists: Local newspaper publishers can claim a payroll credit for wages paid to local news journalists, which can be up to $12,500 per quarter (Section 3).
-
Small Business Advertising Incentives: Eligible small businesses can receive a credit for advertising expenses paid for local newspapers or local radio and television stations, with limits of $5,000 in the first year and $2,500 in subsequent years (Section 4).
-
Charitable Contribution Flexibility: For certain organizations where publishing is the primary activity, individuals may elect to treat charitable contributions as subscription payments to qualify for the tax credit (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Limited Duration of Benefits: The various tax credits provided in the bill are set to expire after a five-year period (Section 2, Section 4).
-
Strict Eligibility Requirements for Publishers: To qualify as a local newspaper, a publication must meet specific criteria, such as employing no more than 750 employees (Section 2).
-
Strict Eligibility Requirements for Small Businesses: The advertising credit is only available to "eligible small businesses," defined as those with an average of fewer than 50 full-time employees (Section 4).
-
Restrictions on Journalists: To qualify for the payroll credit, a local news journalist must provide at least 100 hours of service during a calendar quarter (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Provides direct advertising tax credits to businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Does this cut taxes for small businesses? — Small businesses receive tax credits for advertising in local media. Does this cut taxes for middle-income families? — The bill provides a tax credit for local newspaper subscriptions which benefits individual taxpayers. Is this likely to create jobs? — The payroll credit for journalists may help stabilize and support local news employment. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Supports the local media economy through targeted tax incentives.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Offers tax credits for local media advertising expenses. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Offers tax credits for personal newspaper subscriptions. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Provides support for local news which is critical for rural area information. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Provides subscription tax credits, though the impact is capped. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides potential tax relief for news subscriptions. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Supports local media which can serve urban populations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Supports local media which acts as a watchdog for government transparency. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — Strengthens local news outlets which are essential for free expression.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Supports local media which often serves as a primary information source for rural communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — By supporting local journalism, the bill indirectly supports a robust free press.
- 7/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Introduced in House