Vermont lawmakers hear bill to direct state advertising toward local news outlets

Representative Barbara Rachelson, a co-sponsor, introduced H.244 to the House Committee on Government Operations & Military Affairs, saying the bill would require that a share of state advertising spending be placed with Vermont-based or Vermont-serving news organizations. "We're taking money that we already have, that we've already allocated for advertising, we're just directing it toward Vermonters," Rachelson said.

Representative Shay Waters Evans, a co-sponsor who previously worked as a local reporter and editor, told the committee: "I really cannot overstate how important local news is for democracy." She and other witnesses said the bill seeks to bolster community journalism without increasing state advertising budgets.

Paul Heintz, a reporter and adviser to the University of Vermont's Center for Community News, said a coalition of Vermont news organizations supports a modest policy that would not add state spending. He asked the committee to…