House Opposition to Performance Tax Reaches 214

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

A bipartisan group of 214 House lawmakers, just four shy of a House majority, is now on record in opposition to RIAA's effort to pass legislation that would levy royalties on local radio for airplay. The mounting opposition comes just weeks after the House Judiciary Committee voted, 21-9, in favor of the bill.

Adding their support to The Local Radio Freedom Act are Reps. Elijah Cummings (MD-7), Leonard Lance (NJ-7), Shelley Berkley (NV-1), Gus Bilirakis (FL-9), Dale Kildee (MI-5), Jean Schmidt (OH-2), Christopher Smith (NJ-4), Brian Bilbray (CA-50), John Sarbanes (MD-3), Vern Buchanan (FL-13), David Price (NC-4), Ike Skelton (MO-4), Harry Teague (NM-2) and Phil Roe (TN-1). The 14 new co-sponsors of the resolution, which opposes "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local radio stations, brings the total co-sponsors to 214 House members.

"As opposition to the multinational record labels nears a House majority, lawmakers are growing acutely aware of this bill's negative impact on both musicians and the millions of listeners to America's hometown radio stations," said NAB Executive VP Dennis Wharton. "Local radio remains an unparalleled provider of free promotion for recording artists, as well as a trusted friend to charities across America. Funneling money from local radio to the foreign record labels will only hurt community-based organizations that rely on broadcasters in times of need."