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Monday, March 09, 2009

Broadcasters to make case against radio performance tax at hearing




Broadcasters against radio performance tax at hearing.


The House Judiciary Committee's hearing on the controversial Performance Rights Act (H.R. 848), set for March 10 at 10 a.m., will include testimony from Smasking Pumpkins vocalist and lead guitarist Billy Corgan, according to an agenda released by the committee on Friday evening (March 6).



NAB Radio Board Chairman Steve Newberry and Patrick Communications President Larry Patrick will be making broadcast's case against a proposed performance fee, at a hearing by a House panel scheduled for Tuesday. Meanwhile, NABOB is urging the Congressional Black Caucus to oppose the new royalty, saying it could dampen minority ownership. "By making stations even more unaffordable, this legislation would put the dream of ownership further out of the reach for African-American entrepreneurs trying to enter the radio industry," NABOB Executive Director and General Counsel Jim Winston wrote in a letter to the caucus. Radio & Records (3/9) , Radio Online (3/6)


Also expected to testify during the Capitol Hill event are Mitch Bainwol, chairman/CEO of the RIAA; Paul Almeida, president of the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO; Stan Liebowitz, Ph.D., Ashbel Smith distinguished professor of managerial economics, University of Texas at Dallas; Larry Patrick, president, Patrick Communications; and Steve Newberry, chairman of the NAB Radio Board.