Texas Broadcasters Advance Radio, TV Agenda in DC

posted on 3.03.2025

- AM, Deregulation, Music Royalties, Ad Tax

TAB is working the halls of Congress in DC this week advancing four key policy efforts to ensure the long-term vitality of the local Radio and Television broadcast industry and underscore the vital role broadcasters play in serving communities across Texas.

With one of the largest congressional delegations in the country, 18 broadcasters – independent Radio operators, station groups and network O&Os – from multiple regions of the state are meeting with nearly all 40 members, including Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, champion of the AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act.

The measure last year garnered a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate and large majority of support in the House, but was among a slew of similarly popular bills dropped from a must-pass spending bill in December.

Cruz and other supporters rapidly reintroduced the measure this year and it already has passed the Senate Commerce Committee he chairs. The House companion also is advancing and TAB is working to expand support among the Texas delegation which provided the second most co-sponsors of any state.

Also on the Radio front, the TAB delegation is working to renew lawmakers’ support for the Local Radio Freedom Act which opposes the creation of a new performance royalty that Radio stations would have to pay in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars broadcasters already collectively pay each year to musicians, songwriters, performers and other artists through groups like ASCAP, BMI, GMR, SESAC and SoundExchange.

Texas has consistently led the country in the number of co-sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act for the past several sessions of Congress.

Business Advertising Tax Deduction

With the White House and Congress focused on extending and expanding tax cuts, TAB is underscoring the wisdom of longstanding tax policy of ensuring businesses are permitted to deduct inputs such as advertising which drives billions of dollars in business activity.

Past proposals have ranged from reducing the amount of advertising that could be deducted or limiting the deduction in the year the expenses are incurred and amortizing the remainder over a few years, which would especially undermine new businesses and business expansion.

Deregulation and Big Tech

TAB also is addressing the extraordinary disadvantage that local Radio and Television broadcasters have in the media marketplace as policymakers have failed to rein in Big Tech’s growing domination of the advertising market which the previous FCC leadership failed to grasp.

Sustaining a robust market for local broadcasters to operate is vital to the preservation of local journalism in small communities and big cities alike as the newspaper industry’s struggles grow.

As the only media subject to any regulation and obligated to work in the public interest of clearly defined local communities throughout the country, local broadcasters are tasked with serving as the backbone of the nation’s emergency communications system, keeping communities informed of routine and extraordinary developments alike, and partnering with local businesses that drive local economies.

NAB Conference

TAB’s advocacy on Capitol Hill follows the NAB’s annual State Leadership Conference which attracts hundreds of broadcasters from across the country to present a coordinated show of strength as lawmakers grapple with the broader challenges of domestic and foreign policy.

Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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