“Democracy places a responsibility on citizens to be informed so they can effectively participate in the electoral process and in local government. A trusted local news source is essential for that to happen. Healthy communities need an unbiased news organization to connect, enrich and inform citizens.  This legislation would ensure we can continue covering local government meetings each month as part of our comprehensive coverage of six village and town boards, a city council and the county legislature in St. Lawrence County.”

Bill Shumway
Editor & Publisher, North Country This Week

“More than ever, we still need local, responsible organizations which collect, research and disperse, for public edification of the news and information vital to a community. These organizations are independent local newspapers. Thanks to the internet and social media, many disparate personal and specialty niches build audiences among themselves, often casually; they can be vital and entertaining within the niche. But the serious job, the mission, or serving a broad, inclusive community of neighbors, falls on the shoulders of traditional local newspapers. The best ones are of, for and about local people and issues, and they serve by following dependable schedules, no matter how slow business might be in a particular period.  Supporting them and sharing information with them can give exponential returns.”

Dozier Hasty
Publisher, Brooklyn Daily Eagle  

“Village View is a critical source of local news. Its importance is reflected by the fact that we distribute 11,000 copies, by hand, to building lobbies and door stoops all over Greenwich Village and the West Village and we always get calls asking for more. Print media is the only source of local news and views which reaches everyone, from seniors to college students. And the ability of local writers and leaders to write about the neighborhood they live in and the culture they live within is something which cannot be replaced.”
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‍Arthur Z. Schwartz
Senior editor, The Village View

"This measure would open a new revenue stream for local newsrooms through a payroll tax credit and would help ensure newsrooms can thrive economically and continue to serve their communities. Local newsrooms are fundamental to the health of democracy and must be protected."
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‍Ariana Caplan
Director of State Government Affairs, Microsoft Corporation
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