FUNDING CUTS FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING PARTIALLY RESTORED!
On Thursday, June 23, largely due to the grassroots work by our supporters across
the country, public broadcasting took a huge step forward on the road to victory in our quest to
restore federal funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Members
of the House of Representatives voted 284-140 in favor of restoring $100 million to CPB for FY2006, with 87 affirmative votes coming from Republican
Members. This outcome is a resounding confirmation of the broad, diverse and
nonpartisan support that PBS, NPR and member stations like KQED enjoy across
the country.
This is a tremendous victory for public broadcasting -- but the fight isn't over
yet. Essential funds have not been restored by the Congress, including funds for
Ready To Learn, a children's educational service that supports shows such as
"Sesame Street" and "Between the Lions" as well as community literacy programs
that benefit millions of children; for the interconnection system that links
PBS and NPR with local stations; and for the transition to digital broadcasting
that was mandated by the FCC. We still have considerable work ahead of us to ensure
that the overall funding package that public broadcasting needs to secure its future
is restored by the Senate in mid-July and finally by the House-Senate Conference
Committee that will reconcile the differences in the House and Senate versions of
the bill.
We are truly grateful to listeners, viewers and supporters here in Northern
California and throughout the country for their vocal support of public radio and
television in our time of need. In the weeks and months ahead, we will keep you
posted on the actions of the Congress so that when needed, you can help us muster
the necessary votes to ensure a successful future for KQED and all of public
broadcasting.
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