York County News

HARRISBURG – Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) have unveiled forthcoming legislation aimed at increasing transparency in the mandatory taxpayer funding of newspaper advertisements. The senators made this announcement during Sunshine Week 2024, a time when newspapers nationwide emphasize transparency in government operations.

Concerned about the significant costs incurred by local governments for mandatory legal advertising and public notices, Sen. Phillips-Hill emphasized the need for disclosure, stating, "Mandatory advertising by governments at all levels serves a purpose to keep people well-informed of actions and proposed actions by their government – but at a steep and hidden cost to taxpayers."

Sen. Aument echoed the sentiment by highlighting the lack of awareness among Lancaster County residents regarding taxpayer dollars subsidizing local newspapers, saying, “Most Lancaster County residents don’t know that their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are currently subsidizing our local newspapers due to an outdated mandate.”

The senators referenced a Pew Research Center study showing a drastic decline in newspaper circulation over the past 17 years, underscoring the need for updated regulations in light of changing media consumption habits. They pointed out that local governments are facing increasing expenditures to comply with aging laws on advertising requirements, lacking transparency in pricing.

Phillips-Hill and Aument emphasized the importance of bringing transparency to the process to inform both taxpayers and local governing bodies about the allocation of funds. They highlighted the need for legislators and the public to consider modernizing existing laws to align with evolving news consumption patterns.

The legislation proposal is backed by data from a 2006 Local Government Commission report, revealing that local taxing authorities spend over $28 million on mandated advertising when adjusted for inflation. The senators argue that their proposed measure will allow taxpayers to better understand the utilization of their funds and provide public officials with clear insights into the costs incurred by governmental entities.

As the senators seek support for their initiative, they aim to introduce the bill in the coming weeks to address the lack of transparency in taxpayer-funded newspaper advertisements. They advocate for increased accountability and transparency in all government-funded ads published in newspapers across the state.