As you set your policy positions for this legislative session, I want to share an issue that’s vital to our community: sustaining federal funding for our local public radio and television stations. I understand the fiscal challenges ahead, but funding for public media is invaluable and provides a huge return on investment. Our local stations serve as lifelines and are key contributors to the strength and resilience of our community.
I am deeply concerned about recent calls to defund public media and other emerging threats to the public media system, such as an investigation by FCC that could threaten the licenses of locally owned nonprofit, noncommercial public media stations. Multiple studies confirm that there is no substitute for federal funding. Eliminating public media funding would jeopardize our community’s safety, undermine access to vital resources for our children and workforce, and disconnect us from the essential community information and storytelling that brings us together.
The Next Generation Warning System (NGWS), administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, strengthens emergency preparedness by funding infrastructure upgrades for the delivery of reliable alerts and warnings. This is particularly critical in rural and remote areas, ensuring communities remain safe during crises.
Key Federal Funding Requests:
There is no substitute for federal funding when it comes to sustaining public media’s vital local services. Maintaining support for CPB, Interconnection, Ready To Learn, and NGWS is critical to keeping our communities safe, informed, and thriving. Please support:
• $535 million for CPB in FY 2027
• $60 million for Interconnection
• $31 million for Ready To Learn
• $40 million for NGWS
Once again, congratulations on your position, and thank you for considering this important request. Public media is a cornerstone of our community, and your support will help ensure its continued impact.
Sign Petition
