A bill that would allow local governments to opt out of the requirement to advertise public hearings in newspapers has been set aside.

In its place, Rep. Paul Stam plans to push a local bill that would allow up to 14 municipalities to be excluded from the requirement, he told a House committee Thursday. The House's rules say that any more than 14 and the bill would have to apply statewide, as Stam's earlier version did. Local bills often have an easier time getting approved on the House floor.

Stam, an Apex Republican and House minority leader said his bill is meant to save cities and towns money by allowing them to use their Web sites to announce public hearings.

"I personally read five papers and enjoy them all," Stam said. "That's not where people go to find out what's happening."

NAACP and newspapers object after the jump.

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