In today’s world, access to trustworthy and reliable local news is more important than ever. The Herald has been that trusted beacon of community information in Snohomish County for over 120 years, breaking stories, better-connecting residents with civic institutions, and holding local officials accountable.
The paper’s success depends on the journalists who cover the news in our neighborhoods. Right now, they are fighting for a fair union contract. When workers join together to collectively bargain, they get better pay, benefits, and working conditions. I’m also clearly aware of the Herald’s financial challenges given recent layoffs and support the paper’s long-term success. Both parties need to work together, consistent with federal and state labor laws, to reach an agreement they can each support. A strong newsroom means a strong future for the Herald.
Congress also has a role to play in supporting local journalism, which has been on the decline for years now. In the last two decades, the number of newsroom employees has dropped by 57 percent. Two newsrooms are shutting down on average each week in the U.S. That’s why I introduced the Community News and Small Business Support Act, bipartisan legislation that would support newsroom jobs, strengthen local small businesses, and increase access to hometown information so that papers like The Herald are here to stay.
U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash.
1st Congressional District
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