Congress is considering passage of H.R. 848, which would impose a tax on commercial radio stations, every time a song is played. If the measure passes, it would cost an additional $33,000 a day to keep some of our local stations on the air. This measure would hurt radio even in the best of times; in today's economy, it would cripple many operations and potentially put some stations out of business.

This measure would reward mostly foreign-owned record labels at the expense of our hometown stations, which, as you know, provide public services and charitable activities in the communities we serve. Furthermore, revenues across our industry dropped precipitously in 2008. Additional government-mandated expenses, like H.R. 848, will further strain our industry, which is already facing significant financial complications.

We don't want the passage of this measure to damage our service to the community. Please take a moment to contact the members of the Congressional Delegation (http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt) and urge them to defeat HR 848.

Here is a draft of a letter (or copy and paste link:
http://rope.zscb.fimc.net/pdfs/Local_Radio_Freedom_Act.doc) that might be helpful as you reach out and have your voice heard.

Please also ask your Congressman to co-sponsor H. Con. Res 49, the "Local Radio Freedom Act," which now has over 175 bipartisan co-sponsors. The Local Radio Freedom Act counters the Performance Right Act, now before the House and Senate.

For more information about this issue, you can also go to www.noperformancetax.org/ for continuing updates.