WASHINGTON—December 15, 2009 – The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) applauds the Congress for meaningful increases to appropriations for public broadcasting contained in the omnibus spending bill to be signed by the President this week.
"Given the unprecedented negative budget climate, with concern about deficits growing each day, APTS is especially thankful to Congress for recognizing the enormous fiscal pressures on public broadcasting stations during these tough economic times," said APTS President and CEO Larry Sidman. "Enhanced federal funds are indispensable to ensure a robust public broadcasting system ready and able to meet new challenges in a transformed media landscape."
"APTS is particularly grateful to Chairmen David Obey, Daniel Inouye and Tom Harkin, and Ranking Member Thad Cochran for their extraordinary leadership in supporting much-needed and necessary funding for public broadcasting in the FY2010 appropriations bills. These key Senators and Representatives truly understand the important services public broadcasting provides to their local communities, providing over-the-air, on-line and on-the-ground education to all people in areas as diverse as preschool education, health care and job training," Sidman said.
Sidman continued: "We are proud to say that public broadcasting stations across the country will receive a one-time fiscal stabilization appropriation of $25 million to help stations offset the dramatic losses experienced as a result of the economic downturn. Public broadcasting owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Representatives Ben Chandler (D-KY), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) for their vigorous support of public broadcasting's fiscal stabilization request at the outset of the appropriation process. Their leadership will help stations lay the foundation for an expanded role in our society."
In addition to the one-time fiscal stabilization funding, public broadcasting will be receiving an overall increase of $42.7 million or 8% over last year's funding levels and more than 13% over the President's budget. Advanced funding for CPB will see a critical increase of $15 million for FY2012, and funding for Ready to Learn will increase by almost $3 million. Ready To Teach, an on-line program providing training to thousands of teachers across the nation, has been restored and is fully funded at $10.7 million.
Sidman concluded: "Public broadcasting stations across the country provide invaluable educational services and news and public affairs programming to their local communities. We are grateful to Congress for recognizing the importance of public broadcasting to all Americans."
