Supporting the Hometown Newspaper
By Rep. Kristi Noem
Chances are that if you are reading this, you subscribe to a local newspaper. Publications like this play an instrumental role in keeping communities strong and informed. Sadly, many are disappearing from our rural communities, making it increasingly difficult to stay connected with what’s happening within the local school system, around town, and around the state.
The ever-increasing cost of production is one of the most common concerns South Dakota’s newspapers raise with me. In recent years, new tariffs on Canadian newsprint have increased paper prices by 20 to 30 percent. That’s significant. A paper that services around 20,000 customers, for instance, could see paper costs rise by about a quarter-million dollars annually, threatening the newspaper’s survival.
As David Bordewyk, the Executive Director of the South Dakota Newspaper Association, told me: “I have already heard from South Dakota newspaper publishers who fear that if these tariffs were to carry forward indefinitely, they will very well be forced to close their doors. That creates a ripple effect in the community for businesses that rely on the local newspaper to advertise and promote their goods and services.”
To help ease the burden, I introduced the PRINT Act in early June. This legislation places a temporary hold on the newsprint tariffs, giving time for the Commerce Department to investigate the negative impact the tariffs have on our hometown papers. As Bordewyk explains it: “This legislation will provide some breathing room and an opportunity for a more complete review and analysis.”
The PRINT Act is the latest in a series of efforts to better support our local newspapers. During tax reform, many South Dakota newspapers reached out with concerns about a proposed “Ad Tax,” which would have forced news organizations to pay taxes on advertising dollars. The impact of a tax like that would have been widespread and made it more expensive for local businesses to advertise their goods and services. In the end, we were able to stave off the proposed tax hike.
Even if you can mitigate costs, however, delivery can be a challenge. In recent years, the U.S. Postal Service has threatened to cut Saturday delivery, a move that would have dealt another devastating blow to the local newspaper industry, which relies heavily on consistent and reliable mail service. We successfully fought the measure and forced the Postal Service to create organizational efficiencies before cutting services to South Dakota families, newspapers, and businesses.
Today, South Dakota is home to more than 125 local newspapers. That’s a number we need to protect. Their reporting reminds us the world is made of neighborhoods and shared experiences. It keeps us connected and strengthens our sense of community and connection. Thank you for supporting your local newspaper.
“South Dakota is home to more than 125 local newspapers. That’s a number we need to protect. Their reporting reminds us the world is made of neighborhoods and shared experiences. It keeps us connected and strengthens our sense of community and connection. Thank you for supporting your local newspaper.”
Well said & I agree 100 percent. SD needs local newspapers and media now more than ever. CNN & The New York Times care not a whit about the Midwest. Few Washington Post reporters could find Sioux Falls on a map, much less our smaller cities. They certainly won’t cover local sports, local businesses, or community events. To “strengthen our sense of community and connection” we must read and support quality publications created right here in our hometowns and neighborhoods. Excellent point by Kristi Noem.
It’s now more valuable than ever to have a hand in keeping the small town paper most profitable.
The same could be said for the farier and the blacksmith; congressional support to keep an uncompetitive industry afloat.
Just FYI, it’s been my privilege to meet several local farriers and blacksmiths, many of whom earn decent money without government subsidy. Awesome people. It’s not silicon valley. Nobody’s expecting IPOs, but there’s a lucrative niche for high-quality, handmade goods: knives, tools, horseshoes, saddles, weapons, farm implements, creative art. It parallels the phenomenal explosion in micro-brews, local vineyards, leather work, distilleries, artisan baked breads, silversmiths, denim, hand-made ice cream, & lots of good things. To produce fine, useful items by hand is deeply rewarding and can be profitable. More young people could find contentment if they’d stop tweeting, drop the smartphone, exit the cubicle, and go make tangible things.
Government support (subsidies) might weaken newspaper independence. I know several publications have been corrupted by accepting federal money.
I support Noem’s efforts to stave off the “Ad Tax,” which would’ve forced news organizations to pay greater taxes on advertising revenue. The Ad Tax would have made it more expensive for businesses to promote goods and services. When local newspapers suffer, local workers get pink slips. Let’s cut federal taxes & help keep every South Dakota employer afloat!