State Rep. Chris Rabb, who represents Mt. Airy and parts of Chestnut Hill and West Oak Lane, has proposed creating two bills aimed at investing in independent newsrooms across Pennsylvania.

The bills, which the Democrat plans to formally introduce in the state House later this year, would establish methods of support for local newsrooms around the state. Data from Northwestern University’s Local News Initiative shows 17 counties in Pennsylvania with only one or zero local news outlets.

In a press release, Rabb wrote, “Local news and civic information are public goods; they deserve public dollars. … When communities lose access to independent journalism, transparency erodes, civic engagement declines, and government becomes less accountable to the people it serves. The longer we wait to rebuild community newsrooms, the more we jeopardize the civic health of Pennsylvanians.”

Bill number one: PCIC

The first bill would create a Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium (PCIC). Described as an independent, nonpartisan body, the PCIC would distribute grants to local newsrooms and nonprofit organizations to fill information gaps in underserved communities.

Rabb told the Local, “Before my bills are introduced, I will be convening meetings with relevant stakeholders to get substantive input on how to ensure this proposed media consortium has the independence and autonomy necessary to uphold its mission.”

The idea is modeled after the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (NJCIC), which formed in 2018.

Chris Daggett, board chair and interim executive director for NJCIC, told the Local he’s “thrilled” to hear about Rabb’s proposal and is happy to see New Jersey’s model being replicated.

“I’ve said to anybody that is working on these things in other states, if there’s anything we at the consortium can do to help, I’d come out, I’d testify, I would meet with people,” Daggett said. “We need these types of programs around the country. We’re the only state that does it this way so far, but I’d welcome anybody doing it, and if we could help in any way, we’d be there in a minute.”

Since 2018, NJCIC has distributed over $10 million to early-stage, startup, or established news organizations. With bipartisan support, NJCIC received more funding each year since its founding, but in 2026, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s budget did not include funds for the program because of a “tough budget situation” in the state, Daggett said.

With the help of the state legislature and grassroots support, NJCIC was able to regain $2.5 million in funding for 2026, nearing their $3 million in funds from 2025.

“We haven’t found the model that results in long-term financial stability for organizations. It’s a challenge,” Daggett said. “Until you get that new model of financial sustainability, then public financing is going to be necessary.”

Aiming for independence, the 2018 bill that created the NJCIC states that news outlets receiving grants “shall be independent from the influence of the State, a member university, and any other grantor or contributor of funds or outside source.” The bill continues, “any grantor or other contributor of funds to the grantee shall acknowledge in writing the grantor’s or contributor’s understanding that the grant or donation does not entitle the grantor or contributor to dictate or influence the content of any work the grantee produces or may produce.”

Daggett said NJCIC is made up of a “very balanced” 12-person “bipartisan” board with six appointees who are public officials and one from each of the state’s six member universities: The College of New Jersey, Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rowan University, Kean University, and Rutgers University.

Daggett said, “I’ve never had anybody of any of our grantees ever raise a question about somebody putting pressure on them in some way to influence their work.”

Bill number two: journalism fellowships

Rabb’s second bill would establish a state fellowship program to strengthen the reporting capacity of local newsrooms around Pennsylvania by placing early-career journalists in positions where they’re needed most.

The program replicates similar fellowship programs in California, New Mexico, and Washington State.

In the press release, Rabb said bills are attracting bipartisan support and “Reliable local reporting is tied to everything from monitoring public spending at the municipal level to fighting corruption at the highest levels of our government. The data is clear, and so is the need. These two pieces of legislation would make direct investments in the infrastructure of our democracy.”

Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA), told the Local, “PNA is aware of the proposal and we are looking forward to working with Rep. Rabb and other legislators to highlight the critical work Pennsylvania’s newspapers do for their communities every day.”

She added, “We are researching other state programs and considering which aspects could be a good fit in Pennsylvania’s unique news environment. Pennsylvania has a robust news ecosystem, and newspapers serve every county in the Commonwealth. Legislation that supports and expands newspapers’ ability to cover local communities would benefit all Pennsylvanians.”

Tommy Tucker can be reached at Tommy@chestnuthilllocal.com.