We need more (not less) political coverage

At a time when politics itself needs fierce scrutiny, Crosscut is one of just a few news outlets still covering its Northwest arm.
Crosscut archive image.

Tom Alberg is managing director of Madrona Venture Group and vice chair of the Crosscut board of directors.

At a time when politics itself needs fierce scrutiny, Crosscut is one of just a few news outlets still covering its Northwest arm.

This is the last week of Crosscut’s Fall Membership Drive, and we need your membership support. You are Crosscut. The stories Crosscut writes are the stories that affect you every day.  Become a member.

As a former executive and current investor in technology companies, I’ve always relied on the type of quality journalism Crosscut News provides to keep me informed of the policy and political landscape that advances or hinders our economy.  The decisions we — and, by extension, our elected officials — make about public policy determine not only the trajectory of business and technology, but also education, social services and the environment. 

Well-reported journalism elevates the profiles of under-reported policy issues and drives the civic engagement that is vital to our community. That is why I was one of Crosscut’s early investors and board members. What David Brewster founded and Greg Shaw continues merits support through your membership. You are both a reader and a participant in Crosscut’s mission to build an informed, civically engaged Pacific Northwest region.

As state capitol news coverage declines, it is increasingly critical to expand Crosscut’s coverage of policy and politics. Shifts in education, human services, environmental and other policy areas must not go unreported. Last year, Crosscut put two reporters in Olympia. As a result, Crosscut reporters were among the few journalists covering important legislative debate and decisions, including those determining the future of education funding and economic issues. The coming legislative session will have equally high stakes.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned a lot of important lessons about how changes in public policy affect the businesses we invest in.  Publisher Greg Shaw and Crosscut’s board of directors have prioritized content expansion in its new two-year campaign, “Stronger Crosscut, Smarter Region.” We need your financial support to continue to cover the politicians, political institutions and policy decisions that are important to us all.

  

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About the Authors & Contributors

Tom Alberg

Tom Alberg is managing director of Madrona Venture Group and board member of Challenge Seattle and Amazon.com. He is also former vice chair of the Crosscut board of directors.