Wyoming’s Senator Brasso Fights To Save Local Radio

Lovers of local radio might like this bill from Wyoming Senator John Barasso.

It's called the Local Radio Freedom Act.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced the Local Radio Freedom Act.

This bipartisan resolution declares that Congress should not impose new taxes or fees on locally owned radio stations.

The resolution also underscores the critical importance of locally owned radio stations to families, small businesses and our communities.

Local radio, especially in rural states like Wyoming, is vital to those communities in many different ways.

“People across Wyoming depend on local radio stations for timely information, news, and programming that impact their daily lives,” said Senator Barrasso.

“For decades, radio stations and the recording industry have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship: free airplay for free promotion.

If forced to pay a performance royalty, broadcasters will have to make cuts to important programming to make ends meet.

I’m proud to join Senator Hassan in introducing our bipartisan resolution to block any new performance tax on broadcasters in Wyoming and across the country.” (Senator Barasso).

This legislation is supported by the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters and the National Association of Broadcasters.

“We are grateful for the support of our Wyoming Delegation and to Senator Barrasso for taking the lead on this important resolution that helps protect our local broadcasters from being imposed an additional fee to record labels and artists when they play their music.” – Laura Grott, President of Wyoming Association of Broadcasters

Local radio keeps communities connected with important and even life-saving information.

It also connects consumers with businesses and forms community relationships.