| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009 8:42 pm |
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• Extra! Extra! Did you read about this tax break? July 2 • Stan's guidance was worth a buck – and then some June 5 |
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Extra! Extra! Did you read about this tax break? One good reason to read a daily newspaper is to stay informed about the public’s business – the projects, policies and tax decisions that are too wonky for most TV broadcasts or bloggers to bother with. For instance, our state just cut business taxes by 40 percent for a troubled-yet-influential industry: Newspapers. Did you know that? Some people – including some Republican lawmakers – didn't like this tax cut. First of all, it comes at a time when the state can’t afford to give away even one cent. And, they argue, it is at odds with the tax-and-spend positions they see on too many editorial pages. There's no denying it is the kind of special-interest legislation that hard-nosed reporters glory in exposing. I’m an editor, and I can’t read the minds of newspaper publishers and owners. Their companies are, undeniably, faltering financially. And we feel that squeeze in our newsroom budgets. So, they decided to stiffen their spines, swallow their pride and ask the Washington State Legislature for this special treatment. Ironically, it’s readers like you who come to newspapers and newspaper websites for your information who will know about this tax break. The Herald’s Olympia correspondent Jerry Cornfield blogged about it as it happened and included it in our published report on the Legislature’s final days. And today, the Associated Press is making a story available to all regional papers concerning the issue. I hope most papers carry the story. The AP tells us: “The Society of Professional Journalists and the National Conference of State Legislatures was not aware of any other state that has granted a similar tax break to the newspaper industry.” In the newsroom, it's not our job to tell you whether the new tax rate for newspapers is good policy or bad policy – but we sure think you should be aware that your government made this decision. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment NEW!
Stan's guidance was worth a buck – and then some Yesterday, former executive editor Stan Strick died. He helped shape the content and character of The Herald for more than two decades. This morning, I found a dollar bill in my office mail slot. Let me explain the connection. I knew – just as Stan would have known – that the dollar came from one of our employees who was simply doing the right thing. Freebies arrive at The Herald every week – product samples, flower arrangements, books and bric-a-brac. These are usually thank you gestures or public relations gimmicks. No matter how tempting an item might seem, nobody on The Herald news staff would dream of taking it home – not without making a contribution to the newsroom’s fund for worthy, local charities. That’s been the practice for as long as anyone around here can remember. Stan Strick was a keeper of the flame, reminding people that short cuts don’t make for good community journalism – and principles apply to the little things as well as the big things. Yes, it is easier to get juicy quotes if you allow unnamed sources. No, Stan would remind reporters, Herald readers won't trust anonymous sources. Yes, it is quicker and cheaper to fill news pages with wire service copy. No, Stan would argue, we owe our community a newspaper that's filled with local news. And yes, if a publicist sends a single red rose to the newsroom, it is no big deal if you want to take it home to your spouse. No, Stan (and those who worked with him) would insist, if you want the darn rose, pay for it. So, this morning there was a buck in the editor’s mailbox. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment NEW! |
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