1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I urge you to allocate state funding to replace the $1.1 billion in federal grants eliminated when Congress stripped funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Approximately 35 public broadcasting stations across California have lost critical operating funds, threatening essential services that millions of Californians depend on daily. The impact on rural communities is particularly severe. KEET-TV in Eureka lost $847,000, nearly half its operating budget, and General Manager David Gordon cannot guarantee the station's survival. KZYX in Mendocino lost $174,000, forcing the layoff of its news director and eliminating in-depth local news coverage for approximately 130,000 listeners in off-the-grid areas without reliable internet or cell service. These stations serve as vital emergency alert systems during fires, severe weather, and power outages when commercial media cannot reach isolated communities. Medium and large stations face substantial losses that threaten local programming. KQED in San Francisco lost close to $8 million and has already laid off 45 employees in its third round of cuts in five years. LAist eliminated 61 positions since 2023 after losing $1.7 million. Radio Bilingüe canceled construction of three new stations and lost $1.1 million for transmission equipment upgrades that serve Central Valley farm workers and Spanish-speaking communities. Local programming, the most expensive to produce but most popular with audiences, will be cut first. Emmy-winning shows like KVCR's "Inland Edition" and bilingual children's programming face cancellation. Journalism positions covering immigration raids, city councils, and county supervisors are being eliminated precisely when Californians need local accountability reporting most. California has the resources and responsibility to ensure all residents, regardless of geography or income, have access to quality news and emergency information. I ask you to include replacement funding for public broadcasting in your next budget proposal to preserve these essential services for underserved rural and tribal communities across our state.