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Hearings on state program to fund local journalism draw wide support and legal concern
Summary
SSB 5,400 would create a Washington Local News Sustainability Program funded by a surcharge on large platforms to support journalist jobs and a fellowship program; newsroom leaders backed the bill as a lifeline, while technology and trade groups warned of legal challenges and federal preemption risks.
Staff described substitute Senate Bill 5,400 to create a Washington Local News Sustainability Program and a local journalism investment surcharge on covered platforms with revenue used to provide grants to eligible local news organizations and support a WSU journalism fellowship. The staff fiscal briefing noted an implementation date for the surcharge of 01/01/2028 and an estimate of roughly…
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