Frequently Asked Questions About Loss of State Funding for Public Broadcasting

How does the proposed State Budget for Fiscal Year 2010 affect Pennsylvania's eight public stations?
The proposed budget eliminates all funding for station operations ($7.9 million) and reduces technical support from $4.34 million to $2 million. It also abolishes the Pennsylvania Public Television Network as an independent commission of state government.

How does the proposed cut compare with other tough decisions made in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget?
The proposed cuts are disproportionately large. Many education and cultural agency budgets were cut between 5.4% (state libraries) to 8% (PA Council on the Arts). The technical support reduction alone is an 18.9% cut in public television funding. We believe that an 18.9% cut means that public television is doing its part in this budget crisis. Complete elimination of operational grants goes beyond that fair share.

What would the loss of all state funding mean for Pennsylvania's public stations?
The impact would be immediate, negative, and visible to every Pennsylvania citizen. The impact would vary by region, depending on how much of each station's budget state funding represents. Layoffs would be unavoidable, along with program cuts and service reductions. To put the funding in perspective, WQLN in Erie would lose $800,000 in state funds, which is 25% of WQLN's annual budget. This is money that we use for programming and educational outreach.

What are Pennsylvania's public stations asking for?
Two things:

1. Stations agree that savings of $2.3 million or 18.9% can be achieved, and that essential technology services to the stations can be provided for $2 million. This cutback demonstrates the willingness of stations to assist the Commonwealth in addressing the current budget crisis.
2. Keeping in mind that Pennsylvania will have saved 18.9% in reduced technology expenditures, we ask that station grants funding be retained at the FY09 level of $7,995,000. These funds are essential to providing the educational and non-commercial services directly to Pennsylvania citizens.