Washington State Bill Looks to Support Local Journalism.

According to a story on MediaPost, Washington state legislators are looking at a bill that would establish an annual $20 million fund to support local journalism. 

Senate Bill 5400 would establish the Washington Local News Journalism Corp., a program that would award grants to qualified newsrooms support to “employment of news journalists covering civic affairs in underserved  communities to deepen community understanding of complex community issues and policies,” the bill states.

The program will be paid for, in part, by a “workforce education investment surcharge is imposed on select advanced computing businesses.” Any funds raised over the $20 million would go to local education. 

“Local journalism is the backbone of an informed, engaged public,” says State Senator Marko Liias, (D-Edmonds), the lead sponsor. “It highlights the issues that shape our communities, holds leaders accountable, and drives civic participation.”

The problem I see is media companies taking the money and not investing it in journalism. It’s happened before.