Editor’s Note: County 10 owns and operates three local radio stations in Fremont County: 97.5 KDLY, 105.1 KTUG, and 1330 AM KOVE.
(Washington, D.C.) – Wyoming U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso have introduced the Local Radio Freedom Act, a bipartisan resolution aimed at preventing Congress from imposing new taxes or fees on locally owned radio stations. This resolution cites the critical role of local broadcasters in keeping communities informed, entertained, and safe.
“Local radio keeps every corner of the Cowboy State informed, entertained, and safe,” said Lummis. “If broadcasters are forced to pay additional taxes and fees, vital programs get put on the chopping block. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up for rural Americans who rely on local programming.”
Senator Barrasso emphasized the importance of local radio for Wyoming residents, stating, “For decades, radio stations and the recording industry have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship: free airplay for free promotion. If forced to pay a performance royalty, broadcasters will have to make cuts to important programming to make ends meet. I’m proud to join Senator (Maggie) Hassan in introducing our bipartisan resolution to block any new performance tax on broadcasters in Wyoming and across the country.”
Radio stations currently pay performance royalties to songwriters and publishers but not to performers, who receive compensation from music publishers.
“As a locally-owned and operated media company, we’re here to serve our community,” County 10 President & CEO Will Hill said of the proposed legislation. “Every year, regulatory fees and costs for broadcasters go up and it gets harder just to provide the service we do. I am grateful to our Wyoming Senators for seeing the value in local radio and seeking to protect it from yet another burdensome fee,” Hill said.
The resolution is also backed by key industry groups like the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters, which expressed appreciation for the efforts of Wyoming’s delegation.