1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

As a constituent from Solon, Ohio, I urge your strong opposition to any efforts to claw back or reduce funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports PBS and NPR. While fiscal responsibility is vital, defunding public broadcasting would be a misstep, undermining key principles I believe we both share. CPB funding is a modest, highly efficient investment that primarily supports local stations. These are independent organizations deeply embedded in our communities, reflecting our state's unique needs and values. Consider these key points: * Local Control & Community Resilience: Local PBS and NPR stations are crucial for emergency broadcasting during crises, providing essential, real-time information. They offer hyper-local news, filling gaps left by other media, empowering communities to be more self-reliant. * Education & Workforce Development: PBS is America's largest classroom, offering free, high-quality educational programming for children, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This is a foundational investment in our future workforce and supports parental choice in education. * Fiscal Prudence: Federal funding for CPB is a tiny fraction of the federal budget, yet it leverages significant private and local support. Cutting this small allocation would yield minimal budget savings but cause disproportionately large negative impacts on vital local services. * Balanced Information: Public broadcasting offers balanced news and in-depth analysis, providing a crucial alternative to increasingly polarized commercial media. This aligns with the principle of a robust marketplace of ideas and informed citizens. Senator, public broadcasting is an essential asset for education, community safety, and local information in countless towns and cities across our state. Please stand firm against any attempts to weaken it. Vote against any legislation that seeks to claw back money for CPB, PBS, or NPR. Thank you for your consideration.