Posted by Bob Lord
Let's hope this is one of the last gasps of a dying snake.
The pathetic print newspaper industry, in a desperate attempt to preserve a publicly-mandated revenue stream that lost its justification decades ago, maliciously attacked Arizona House Rep. John Kavanagh in some of the most despicably self-serving and deceptive editorial pieces I've ever read (and I've read a lot).
Unfortunately, few members of the public likely understand what really is going on.
Let's be clear: Kavanagh and I are not exactly political chums, although I have nothing personal against him and do admire his willingness to comment here under his real name. But he's a right-wing conservative and I identify as Green. So I have no motive to shill for Rep. Kavanagh.
But I'm willing to give credit where credit is due, and John has introduced a piece of legislation, HB 2554, which is outstanding and long overdue. HB 2554 eliminates the requirement that newly formed corporations and limited liability companies publish their formation information in a print newspaper of general circulation.
The Arizona print newspaper industry collects millions in fees from business start-ups each year for printing these statutorily mandatory notices. The notices appear in seperate sections of numerous local newspapers. Nobody reads them.
And it's been that way for decades.
It's what's referred to as a private tax.
Decades ago, when local print newspapers were the best way to disseminate this information and far, far fewer corporations were formed, most states had publication requirements.
All but four states have eliminated the publication requirement because it no longer serves any purpose. From the way the Arizona print newspaper lobby is squealing like a stuck pig, you would never guess this to be the case, but it is.
In the past week, a spate of wildly deceptive editorial pieces have appeared in Ariozna newspapers, led of course by our Arizona Republic in What's this? John Kavanagh wants larger government?
Practically each line from the Republic either is misleading or is an outright lie, starting out with the glaring omission of the fact that the list of states retaining the publication requirement is down to four, and shrinking.
