NJN employees receive layoff notices as N.J. moves station workers off payroll (public broadcasting)

Star-Ledger ^ | November 16, 2010 | Peggy McGlone

[La Lydia]

TRENTON — State officials issued layoff notices to 130 workers at the New Jersey Network today, marking the latest step in the dismantling of the public television and radio network. It was the most visceral signal yet that NJN, which has served New Jersey for 41 years, is on its death bed. If nothing dramatic happens before Jan. 1, the network could go dark. Last March, Gov. Chris Christie proposed ending the state subsidy to NJN and cutting its employees from the state payroll, saying New Jersey could no longer afford to be in the television business.

Though the outlook is bleak, there are suitors trying to work out some way to take control of the network or at least manage its programming. Steve Adubato Jr., chief executive of Caucus New Jersey and a frequent contributor to NJN, has been talking with state officials about a consortium of existing broadcasters — including WNET in New York — that would provide public affairs and news without assuming ownership.

WNET has expressed interest in the idea and last month its president confirmed he had met with state officials...

The 45-day layoff notices stipulate that most of NJN’s staff will be paid through Jan. 1. Another 17 workers are paid by the nonprofit NJN Foundation and are not subject to layoffs....

In his spring budget address, Christie proposed shifting NJN to a private entity. A bipartisan legislative task force held three hearings in September and last month issued a report that agreed with the governor. Two bills have been introduced, but no action has been taken.

Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said the layoff notices are "a necessary step in facilitating the transition of NJN to an independent broadcast entity."

[tom h]

"NJN employees receive layoff notices as N.J. moves station workers off payroll"

"New Jersey Taxpayer-Supported Democrat Television - on the skids"

How leftist is NJN? How much did it receive from the MJ taxpayer?

Chris Christie might prove to have the b-lls that the Congressional GPO didn't have in 1995 -- Christie might actually "defund the left."

[dagogo redux]

Bravo!