Rep. Silvey looking to eliminate office space for the press at the Capitol?

At a House budget hearing this afternoon, Rep. Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City) suggested ending the current arrangement under which office space is provided to the press at the Capitol.  Concerned that reporters aren't required to lease their space, Silvey asked the committee to consider charging the press like other corporate vendors in government buildings.

At a time when news outlets of all kinds are struggling to stay afloat, Slivey's proposal to make reporting more expensive and difficult seems misguided, at best. It's in the public's interest (though maybe not Silvey's) to have a robust press corps with unfettered access to what's happening in our capitol.

We'll continue to follow the Appropriations-General Administration Committee's actions on the proposal, and will post updates as they're available.