Many things are needed to sustain local news outlets in Washington state.
That includes extending and expanding a business and occupation tax break the Legislature created to save jobs in the essential local news industry.
This is straightforward, relatively low cost and has strong public support, as evidenced by public comments last week in Olympia and earlier hearings.
Legislators should get this done, by approving a timely proposal by Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, state Sen. Mark Mullet and state Rep. Gerry Pollet.
In Senate Bill 5199 and House Bill 1206, they propose exempting publishers from the tax until 2035 and expanding this break to digital-only news sites.
