Broadcasters ask why they were left out of newspaper tax relief; Speaker 1 says DOJ case has the office’s attention and a decision could come by March 27

Keith Shipman, who identified himself as representing the Washington State Association of Broadcasters, told Speaker 1 that about 20 broadcast executives were present and asked why broadcasters were not included in a Louisiana tax relief package that helped newspapers, saying broadcasters "are facing the same challenges." He specifically asked, "can we respectfully ask, why not?"

Speaker 1 replied that he would be "happy to chat" and to sit down with Shipman and other broadcasters to learn more about their challenges. He explained the tax-relief measure had been advanced using a bill vehicle picked up from a prior, stalled proposal and offered to share contact information "before I walk out of here" to continue the conversation.

On a separate but related topic, an unidentified questioner asked whether Speaker 1 would join the Department of Justice and eight states in a pending antitrust matter referenced in the transcript (the questioner mentioned a Google-related case and a party labeled in the transcript as "NEDTEC"). Speaker 1 said that case "has my full attention," noted his office does not publicly discuss investigations, and described the strategic choice the office considers: whether to join a DOJ-led action or bring a separate state case. He cited the Albertsons–Kroger matter as an example where some states took different approaches.

Speaker 1 also said the Department of Justice would be able to amend its complaint without leave by March 27, which he described as a logical point when the DOJ could add states to that complaint, and he indicated the office would make a decision before that date. He reiterated he was considering the best way to use resources and achieve the state’s goals and offered to follow up with the questioners.