Posted on 06/22/2003 9:21:50 AM PDT by Drango
For Immediate Release
June 19, 2003
Statement of Public Broadcasters
In Response to the House Labor/HHS Appropriations Mark-up
[Note to editors and reporters: Today, the U.S. House Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Subcommittee agreed to the President’s budget proposal, which provides no new separate funding in FY 04 to public broadcasting for its digital transition or satellite interconnection. Instead, the Subcommittee opted to allow the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to spend up to $100 million (out of its $380 million 2004 general appropriation) to pay for these important priorities. CPB had requested $60 million in FY04 for digital conversion funds and $20 million in interconnection funds, and $410 million for FY 2006.
Further, the Subcommittee approved only $330 million for CPB’s FY 2006 general appropriation, which if enacted would be a $60 million reduction from CPB’s FY 05 level ($390 million) and $80 million below CPB’s request for 2006.
The House Full Committee on Appropriations is expected to mark-up the funding bill on Wednesday, June 25, 2003. The Senate Subcommittee has tentatively scheduled their mark-up that same day.]
If enacted, the Subcommittee’s recommendations would be a double blow to public broadcasting. Not only would it fall far short of meeting pressing needs for digital conversion and interconnection, it would reduce federal support by $100 million in fiscal year 2004, resulting in a possible 26 percent cut in operating grants to each of the nation’s more than 1,000 public television and radio stations.
Further, these cuts would hit public broadcasting stations at an already difficult time, when they are eliminating programming and cutting other services due to the weakened economy, cutbacks in state funding, and increasing operating costs. And, they would inflict serious damage on programs and services that are essential to children, parents and educators alike.
We believe that the Administration and the House recognize public broadcasting’s need for federal assistance in the digital conversion and interconnection. These technologies are the backbone of public broadcasting. However, cutting operating funds to pay for equipment needs will seriously compromise our mission to deliver quality educational programming and services to the American public. And, such cuts could literally deny the public any new services which the digital investment is intended to make possible.
We are pleased that the Subcommittee recognizes public broadcasting’s unique needs by providing an advance appropriation. However, the figure proposed would take CPB supported programs back to levels of six years ago.
For 35 years, public broadcasters have met the federal mandate of providing universal service, meaning that every community in America has access to a wealth of independent, non-commercial programming and educational resources, as well as local services that are highly valued by their citizens. This service is deeply threatened by this proposal, as is CPB’s investment in new national programming for TV and radio. Given the debate over media consolidation, this is an especially unfortunate time to undermine public broadcasting, the last locally-controlled media in many American communities.
The federal budget process requires difficult choices. Public broadcasters will continue to work with the Administration and Congress to ensure that millions of Americans receive the quality educational public broadcasting services upon which they rely. That is our mission.
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Robert T. Coonrod, President and CEO, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Kevin Klose, President and CEO, National Public Radio
John Lawson, President and CEO, Association of Public Television Stations
Pat Mitchell, President and CEO, Public Broadcasting Service
This ping list is under revision and your name will drop off unless you request to stay on...To opt on my *NPR/PBS* ping list please Freep mail me or bump the thread, indicating your desire to stay on. The Ping list is low-to-moderate activity, meaning about one ping a week.
If enacted, the Subcommittee’s recommendations would be a double blow to public broadcasting.'bout damned time.
Let the Corporation for PUBLIC Broadcasting be supported by the public.
It toasts my Cheerios every time I see some leftest spew program on PBS and think that I involuntarily helped pay for it.
Here is the full committee list. *IF* live in the district of one of the congress critters, you can send 'em a note or email...
Committee Membership
C.W. Bill Young, Florida, Chairman
| Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Georgia | |
| Marion Berry, Arkansas | |
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| Michael K. Simpson, Idaho |
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| John Abney Culberson, Texas |
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| Mark Steven Kirk, Illinois |
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| Ander Crenshaw, Florida |
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Please de-list me from the NPR ping list,
Thanks
What essential services? There are a hundred gazillion stations out there who would pick up anything that the public thought was really essential. @6% is a good start, the cuts should continue at the same rate for the next couple of years.
Based on what I see in toy stores, let Big Bird and the rest of Sesame Street make up the difference. Where do the profits from that show go? Henson Company? Maybe PBS should get a bigger cut.
...And Elmo. That Singing Elmo is a hot seller. He only plays 2 songs...but my oldest grandson loves him. Makes him play CONSTANTLY! (yikes)
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