Local Governments Fight Requirement For Public Notices In Newspapers, But Publishers Push Back

Local governments are once again trying to change a requirement that they post legal notices in print newspapers, arguing that in the electronic age they should be able to post online and save taxpayers millions.

Currently, municipal and county governments are required to pay a local newspaper to publish every legal notice and every change to the city law — no matter how minor. The origins of this law are rooted in government transparency, but the Maryland Municipal League (MML) argues that it is outdated and, in some cases, even damaging to municipal legislation.

“We have heard from some cities that they basically have stopped making changes — even though it’s necessary — in their charters, because it costs too much to go through the whole process of publicizing it,” said Jay Davis, MML president.
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