Over the weekend, the House passed a budget which included cutting state funding of public broadcasting by 50%. These cuts are drastic, without precedent, and threaten each station's ability to bring high-quality, independent, educational programs to Kansans. For KPTS alone, that is nearly $120,000. That loss would be devastating to the programs and services we provide in the communities we serve.
The author of this bill is Representative Virgil Peck, Junior. His district is House District 11, which serves Montgomery County, Kansas. However, it is important to note, that Montgomery County falls in the Tulsa, viewing area. Meaning, Mr. Peck's constituents do not benefit from Kansas Public Broadcasting, they are customers of Oklahoma Public Broadcasting. Therefore, funding cuts to public broadcasting in Kansas have no effect on his district.
KPTS is a valuable community asset, providing educational programming that is free, over-the-air to all people, regardless of social status or background. Without these important programs, many children would have virtually no early childhood educational opportunities. Without commercials and advertising revenue, our ability to serve is directionally proportionate to the funding we receive from private citizens and state and federal dollars. Drastic cuts in this funding decimate our ability to provide the services our viewers have appreciated for more than 40 years. We provide something they simply won't get anywhere else.
We need your help. Time is of the essence. We expect Senators will be voting on this legislation today. Call this legislative hotline number: 1-800-432-3924. Tell the operator which District you are in and that you have important information to relay to your legislator.
You can also contact the Governor's Office at 1-877-579-6757.
We urge you to contact your friends and ask them to do the same. This funding is vital to our continued viability. Thank you for your support.
Michele Gors Lynn Stephan
President/CEO Chair
KPTS Television KPTS Board of Trustees
