SCBA - Southern California Broadcasters Association

Monday, September 6, 2010

HomeSCBA Market ResearchStation & Programming InformationPeoplePublic ServiceJobs & Training Political & EEOCalendarAbout UsMarket ProfileCase Studies of Great Radio Campaigns/Award WinnerFascinating Facts About So. Cal MarketsTraffic & CommutingRadio vs. Other Media In So. CalCustomized PresentationsWhy Radio in Southern CaliforniaRadio FactsGeneral ResearchRadio Means BusinessDon't see what you're looking for, CONTACT USMember LinksStations That Carry SportsStations That Sell Block TimeStations That Broadcast Other Than EnglishPublic Radio StationsCommunity Event CalendarWho We AreHistoryFeedbackSCBA Updates/Sign up for Call LettersContact UsTwitter and Facebook

Public Service

Oppose H.R. 848- Save Radio

http://www.noperformancetax.org/

RE: Co-sponsor H. Con. Res 49, the "Local Radio Freedom Act," and oppose H.R. 848

Dear Community Leader:

Thank you for your previous support in opposing H.R. 848 which could be devastating to our radio stations. As a valued community partner, could you please help us again by taking a moment to contact the members of our Congressional Delegation to urge them to defeat H.R. 848 and by asking your Congressman to co-sponsor H. Con. Res 49, the "Local Radio Freedom Act," which now has over 214 bipartisan co-sponsors.

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 my industry, which is already facing significant financial complications.

We don't want the passage of this measure to damage our service to the community. If you are willing, I'd like to enlist your support in our fight against this measure.

Please take a moment to contact the members of our Congressional Delegation (http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt) and urge them to defeat HR 848.

I've taken the liberty of drafting 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 ask your Congressman to co-sponsor H. Con. Res 49, the "Local Radio Freedom Act," which now has over 214 bipartisan co-sponsors.

I appreciate your support in this battle, and welcome your questions.

Best,

LaFern Cusack
Director of Community Affairs