When the Local Journalism Sustainability Act was included in the One House Senate budget with an allocation of $20 million, publishers across the state were ecstatic. Understanding that it was a tax credit refund of one half of a reporter’s salary, up to $50,000, it turned into a game changer for small publishers with fewer than 100 employees. Publishers quickly organized into a news coalition with over 200 paper members, hired a lobbyist, instituted a grassroots campaign including common editorials and advertisements and traveled to Albany to rally and advocate for the provision’s inclusion in the FY 2025 budget. 

Understanding the importance of local news and the role it plays in the community, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the Senate bill sponsor, said it was important that “democracy not die in darkness.” Up until the final moment, it was unclear whether the measure would be included.

Through negotiation with Senate and Assembly leaders and representatives of the governor’s office, the final bill was expanded to $30 million for three years. The money will be allocated with $4 million set aside for new hires, and the remaining $26 million to be split equally between media outlets with more than 100 employees and media outlets with fewer than 100 employees for employee retention. The cap per company was raised from $200,000 to $300,000. 

New York is the first state in the country to officially recognize the vital role journalism plays in its communities and access to this tax credit refund will help this newspapers and others to continue to cover the communities most vital news.

It’s good news for everyone.