Last week, the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved its draft Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill, which eliminates two-year advance funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and Interconnection funding – a $635 million reduction from the Administration’s request. In effect, CPB funding would end beginning in FY 2026.
CPB funding is significant for rural stations like KHNS, comprising a third of our budget and providing funds we leverage for additional grants.
The Senate could vote to restore funding if members hear that CPB funding is a priority for constituents!
Listeners can contact Alaska’s Congressional Delegation before Thursday 7/20 to talk about about the services KHNS provides and what the loss of the federal appropriation could mean for the station:
Senator Murkowski is a member of the Senate appropriations committee and longtime supporter of Public Media funding with the power to help prioritize CPM funding over other budget requests.
- Legislative Director Angela Ramponi is at angela_ramponi@murkowski.senate.gov
Senator Sullivan is also a strong supporter of CPB funding who has signed a letter encouraging Senate colleagues to support continued funding. He can decide whether to prioritize that effort.
- Legislative Director Erik Elam is at erik_elam@sullivan.senate.gov
Representative Peltola has also signed a letter encouraging House colleagues to support continued funding. She can decide whether to persevere in that effort.
- Legislative Director/Legislative Counsel Elizabeth Othmer is at elizabeth.othmer@mail.house.gov
KHNS is grateful to members of the Alaska Delegation for their history of supporting Public Media, and hopeful that CPB funding will be restored!
