San Benito County’s congressman has publicly opposed proposed
elimination of public broadcast funding, more than $400 million
annually, at the federal level.
San Benito County’s congressman has publicly opposed proposed elimination of public broadcast funding, more than $400 million annually, at the federal level.
Farr, D-Carmel, has stated that generations “have been enriched through public broadcasting programming” in a press statement released last week.
Publilc Broadcast System and National Public Radio supporters are lobbying to sustain the funding as Congress works to curtail the massive deficit.
Republicans largely have supported the move to cut public funding to it, while Democrats are opposed.
The following is Farr’s statement on the issue:
“Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today joined Representatives Ed Markey, Earl Blumenauer, Betty McCollum, Nita Lowey, Paul Tonko and Bill Owens to announce efforts to oppose House Republican attempts to cut funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the Continuing Resolution (CR), including an amendment to restore funding. Public broadcasting reaches an audience of more than half-a-million on the Central Coast, with valuable programming such as Sesame Street, The California Report and Fresh Air.
‘Generations of Americans have been enriched through public broadcasting programming,’ said Rep. Sam Farr. ‘Just like parents and grandparents across the country, my daughter and granddaughter have grown up with educational programming like Sesame Street. Public radio has been a constant stream of information and source of morning conversation, from coffee houses to the halls of Congress. It is irresponsible for Republicans to now place a price tag on public broadcasting, without clearly having an idea of its real value. ‘
Over 170 million Americans use public broadcasting media every month—an extraordinary reach for a modest federal investment that supports 21,000 jobs in hundreds of communities, large and small. National public broadcasting is very cost effective and an excellent example of a public-private partnership that maximizes value for taxpayers. Local stations leverage federal dollars by raising funds through contributions from millions of people who support pledge drives to keep their local public broadcasting on the air.
The Central Coast is served by public broadcasting radio stations KAZU 90.3 and KUSP 88.9, as well televised programming through KQED and KQET.
To view footage of today’s press conference, please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/CongressmanSamFarr.”
