Senate committee reviews bill to steer state advertising to Vermont news outlets

The Senate Committee on Government Operations on Wednesday, March 12 reviewed S.84 (drafted as SA 4), a bill that would require the state to spend at least 80% of the annual value of its print and digital advertising contracts and 80% of its radio and television advertising contracts with Vermont-based news organizations and broadcast licensees.

Jonathan Gray, legal counsel involved in drafting the proposal, told the committee the measure is intended to "stand up local organizations" and to make transparent how state advertising dollars are spent. Gray said the bill routes contracting authority through the commissioner of the Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS), and would require the commissioner to maintain a list of eligible local news and broadcast organizations for procurement.

The bill would define local broadcast organizations as entities licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast in Vermont. Its definition of local news organizations is more detailed: among other conditions it would require a news employer to engage professionals producing original public-interest reporting, employ at least one full-time employee working 30 or more hours per week who lives within 50 miles of the coverage area, and demonstrate regular publication…