When Congress has been tempted to slash federal funding for public broadcasting, it was a loud and sustained public outcry that made the difference - as it did the summer of 2005. This year, Congress is at it again, but with your help, we'll be ready. 

That's why the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) teamed up with NPR and PBS to create the Tell Them Public Matters campaign, an exciting new online destination for people like you: Americans who value public radio and television and want federal support for public broadcasting to continue. 

What's New ...

While we had a tremendous showing of support last year, significant challenges remain. The first is the Budget proposal submitted by the Administration earlier this year. Relying on their budget recommendation would expose public broadcasting to a proposed 30 percent cut in federal funding – with annual federal support for public television and radio falling from the current level of $526 million to $360.5 million. And the pain would be felt immediately, as the Administration’s budget proposes rescinding $103 million from funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including funding for grants to support station programming and operations.

Members of the House Appropriations Committee are beginning the process of considering public broadcasting’s funding requests along with requests for many other discretionary programs. Chairman Ralph Regula has scheduled the subcommittee markup of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill for June 7. Last year this subcommittee voted to cut our funding by 45 percent – we can’t let this happen again.

Visit the Tell Them Public Matters Resources page for more information.

Go to Tell Them Public Matters on the web.

As the national association representing local public television stations here in Washington, APTS gathers information and tracks what is happening in Congress, and we are pleased to share these resources with you.  Here you will find background information on the federal budget process, the funding history for public broadcasting and updates on congressional action.  I hope you will find these resources to be a helpful tool as you sharpen your civic knowledge and exercise your rights and preferences as a citizen of our great country.  Thank you for your time and your commitment to public broadcasting.

Sincerely,

John M. Lawson
President and CEO