Constituent Request: Community Media Bills
(H.91 / H.106 / S.2556)
Community media plays a vital role in keeping our communities informed, connected, and engaged—yet its funding model is rapidly becoming outdated. In Massachusetts, traditional cable companies contribute up to 5% of their revenue to support local programming through municipal agreements. However, as audiences shift to streaming platforms, these companies—despite using the same public infrastructure—are not required to contribute in the same way. With cable subscriptions declining by over 50% in recent years, funding for community media centers has dropped significantly, putting essential local services at risk. The proposed legislation, An Act to Modernize Funding for Community Media Programming (H.91 / S.2556), would level the playing field by requiring streaming providers to pay a comparable fee. This is not a tax on residents, but a modernization of existing policy—ensuring that community media continues to support local economies, government transparency, education, and access to information for all Massachusetts residents.
Dear Representative Lombardo,
I’m a Billerica resident and supporter of Billerica Access Television (BATV) and am writing to ask if you would please share information about the community media funding modernization bills with House Ways & Means leadership and staff.
These include H.91 and H.106 in the House and S.2556 in the Senate, which would modernize funding for community media centers across Massachusetts. BATV provides coverage of Billerica’s local government meetings, elections, and community events; ensuring residents can stay informed about the decisions that affect their community.
Right now:
• Cable companies pay PEG fees that fund local access centers.
• Streaming services do not, even though many residents have moved away from cable.
• The bills aim to update the law so community media funding keeps pace with how people actually consume media today.
Thank you for your continued support of the Billerica community.
Sincerely
[Name]
I’m a Billerica resident and supporter of Billerica Access Television (BATV) and am writing to ask if you would please share information about the community media funding modernization bills with House Ways & Means leadership and staff.
These include H.91 and H.106 in the House and S.2556 in the Senate, which would modernize funding for community media centers across Massachusetts. BATV provides coverage of Billerica’s local government meetings, elections, and community events; ensuring residents can stay informed about the decisions that affect their community.
Right now:
• Cable companies pay PEG fees that fund local access centers.
• Streaming services do not, even though many residents have moved away from cable.
• The bills aim to update the law so community media funding keeps pace with how people actually consume media today.
Thank you for your continued support of the Billerica community.
Sincerely
[Name]
