Why We Need Gov. Newsom to Sign AB 2222 – and Why It Matters for Orange County Arts Journalism

As local newsrooms shrink, California’s Community NEWS Act offers a potential lifeline for independent arts and culture reporting – but the governor must act by Sept. 30.

Why We Need Gov. Newsom to Sign AB 2222 – and Why It Matters for Orange County Arts Journalism
Why We Need Gov. Newsom to Sign AB 2222 – and Why It Matters for Orange County Arts Journalism
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By Culture OC Editors
September 20, 2026

A bill that could provide more than $40 million a year in support for local journalism across California is now awaiting action by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the measure.

Assembly Bill 2222, the Community NEWS Act, would create refundable tax credits to help qualifying local news organizations retain and hire full- and part-time journalists. The bill passed the California Legislature Aug. 31 with supermajority support in both chambers.

More than 180 media and journalism organizations – from major metropolitan newspapers to community-based outlets, digital nonprofits and labor unions – have urged Newsom to sign the bill.

A vibrant community thrives on arts and culture, but it also relies on independent journalism to tell those stories. As traditional newsrooms have shrunk, arts and culture coverage has often been diminished or eliminated, leaving independent digital news sites like Culture OC working to fill the gap.

AB 2222 could help.

Why AB 2222 matters specifically for Culture OC and the arts:

  • Preserving Culture Coverage: AB 2222 could help independent news organizations like Culture OC continue filling the gap left as traditional newsrooms have reduced or eliminated dedicated arts and culture coverage.
  • Supporting Nonprofit & Digital Media: The bill is designed to include qualifying digital-first and nonprofit news organizations, not just traditional commercial newspapers and broadcasters.
  • Keeping Journalists in Orange County: AB 2222 would provide qualifying news organizations with annual credits of up to $20,000 for each of their first five full-time journalists, as well as credits for qualifying part-time journalists. For small newsrooms like ours, that support could make a meaningful difference in our ability to employ journalists covering Orange County’s theaters, galleries, artists and cultural community.
  • Protecting Editorial Independence: Eligibility is based on criteria established in the law rather than government review of editorial content. The state doesn’t get to decide which news organizations qualify based on what they publish.

Want to learn more?

If you want to dig deeper into how AB 2222 works and the debate surrounding it, here are a few useful resources:

  • Rebuild Local News: An organization sponsoring AB 2222 offers a straightforward explainer of how the tax credits work, who qualifies and the safeguards intended to protect editorial independence.
  • News/Media Alliance: Learn more about the broad coalition of journalism organizations supporting the legislation.
  • Sacramento News & Review: A local alternative news organization makes the case for AB 2222 while acknowledging that the tax credit alone won’t solve the larger economic challenges facing local journalism.
  • Los Angeles Times: Its coverage examines the legislation and includes arguments from opponents, including concerns about the tax changes used to fund it and its potential fiscal impact.

To review the bill language, legislative history and votes, check out these online resources:

How You Can Help (Action Required by Sept. 30)

Gov. Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto AB 2222.

Please take two minutes right now to support local arts journalism. Click the link below to visit the official state contact form, select “An Issue or Bill,” and urge Gov. Newsom to sign AB 2222 into law before time runs out.

👉 CLICK HERE TO MESSAGE GOV. NEWSOM
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