Tuesday, Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) introduced H. Con. Res. 17, The Local Radio Freedom Act. This legislation, which was cosponsored by an additional 92 Members of the House of Representatives, opposes attempts from record labels to impose new taxes on local radio stations.
"Local radio stations provide invaluable news and emergency information, not to mention Friday night football scores and music," said Congressman Conaway. "By demanding new performance taxes from local radio stations, big record labels are handed a payday while small radio stations are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. This legislation will ultimately protect the more than 244 million Americans who regularly tune in to their local radio station. I'd like to thank my colleague, Congressman Green, for introducing this legislation with me. I'm glad to see such wide bipartisan support to protect local radio. "
"Local radio stations provide free news, entertainment, and critical emergency alerts to listeners in communities all across the nation," said Congressman Green. "Radio is good for listeners, it's good for advertisers, and it's good for recording artists who benefit from the increased exposure. Additional fees could impose a financial burden too big for small stations that serve the very communities that need it most. That's why I am proud to join my colleague and fellow Texan, Congressman Conaway, and 92 other Members in a strong bipartisan show of support for free radio."