On February 12, Reps. Gene Green (TX-29) and Mike Conaway (TX-11) reintroduced the "Local Radio Freedom Act" in support of the radio broadcast industry. H. Con. Res. 49 recognizes both the significance of radio and the important role radio broadcasters play in their local communities, and expresses opposition to the creation of a new fee or "performance tax" on local radio stations.
NAB applauds Reps. Green and Conaway and the more than 100 lawmakers who have signed on to this bipartisan House resolution opposing the introduction of "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local radio stations.
The Local Radio Freedom Act was unveiled today at a Capitol Hill event hosted by the Free Radio Alliance - a broad coalition group opposing the imposition of a performance tax, of which NAB is a member. This event provided a great venue to educate congressional staff on the negative consequences of a performance tax on local radio. Reps. Green and Conaway introduced the resolution, and other speakers included D.C. morning show personality Kane, and Randy Hawke with Midwest Family Broadcasting. This event was well-attended by members of Congress, their staff and reporters. To see video highlights of the event, click here.
NAB is working aggressively on your behalf to garner support for the Local Radio Freedom Act to ensure America's 235 million weekly radio listeners have continued access to free, local radio. NAB will continue its efforts to grow support for the resolution and to combat the recording industry's effort to undermine local radio broadcasters.
Momentum for our pro-radio, anti-performance tax resolution is strong. Reps. Green and Conaway have an impressive list of cosponsors, but need your help in adding to the growing list. Call your members of Congress and urge them to sign onto the Local Radio Freedom Act and oppose legislation supported by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which would require local radio stations to pay a new fee for music aired free to listeners.
