Editorial Board | Seattle Times | December 27, 2019

The survival of independent regional newspapers shows hope for a revival of American local journalism. Thanks to a new federal law, part of the budget deal signed Dec. 20, the Save the Community Newspaper Act.

The law will allow privately held community newspapers to stretch out payments owed to pension plans that have been frozen through years of industry trouble.

Without the urgently needed relief, these newspaper companies would face immense obligations coming due in 2021 under federal pension contribution laws. This long-sought relief reduces the annual bill to a manageable level while preserving pensioners’ rights to every penny they are due.
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