Tag: WVPB

The Latest on WVPB in State Budget

Many supporters are asking about state funding for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Here’s an update as of Sunday, April 16.

The House and the Senate have passed a budget that would reduce state funding for West Virginia Public Broadcasting by 22 percent, or $1 million dollars.

That would be a $3.6 million state appropriation in a $9 million total budget. (This reverses the Senate’s original proposal, which zeroed out state funding for WVPB.)

Gov. Jim Justice has requested WVPB be funded at the same level as this year – $4.6 million. Justice’s original budget contained no state funding for WVPB, but he revised that request to full funding in a letter to lawmakers in March.

On April 13, Justice vetoed the budget passed by the Legislature.

If WVPB’s state funding is reduced by $1 million, these are some of our cost-saving options.

Now, all three sides (House, Senate and Governor) will continue negotiations to reach an agreed budget.

What does this means for WVPB? All funding levels are still on the table, and would be decided before and during a special session. That special session is expected sometime before the constitutional deadline of July 1.

The Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting plans to continue its “Back in the Budget” campaign until a budget bill is signed.

Also, you’ll continue to see and hear “Protect WVPB” stories on the radio, TV and social media. Check out our playlist.

An unprecedented number of WVPB supporters have called and emailed lawmakers, according to House Finance Chairman Eric Nelson in a speech to fellow House members.

“I’m not sure if I’ve received more emails and calls than on this one particular line item. Unbelievable,” Nelson said.

Nelson defended WVPB in response to an amendment from Del. Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, that would zero out funding for WVPB.

“They provide a very valuable resource,” Nelson said. “This is where Mountain Stage is, too. You talk about something that is out there promoting the state of West Virginia; this resource right here.

“One thing that is also talked about, they own a bunch of towers to help put signals out. They have other services…

Roll call vote on House Amendment to eliminate state funding for WVPB. It was defeated, 88-10.

“This is a very solid entity. I urge rejection of the gentleman’s amendment, so we can continue this service,” Nelson said.

A total of 88 delegates voted to keep WVPB back in the budget – 10 members voted to eliminate funding.

The House bill that would have eliminated the Office of the Secretary of Education and the Arts (OSEA) failed to pass the Senate. WVPB is governed by the Educational Broadcasting Authority, which according to state code “is part of the Department of Education and the Arts for purposes of administrative support and liaison with the office of the Governor.”

Finally, Governor Justice has expressed interest in transferring WVPB from a state licensee to one governed by a land-grant university such as WVU. No bill has passed the Legislature to transfer the licenses from the state to WVU or any other entity. The Educational Broadcasting Authority has recommended this issue be studied in depth, with recommendations and options returned to the Legislature, Governor and other interested parties.

WVPB Friends, Foundation Chairs on Proposal to Eliminate State's Public Broadcasting Funding

In his proposed budget, Governor Justice proposes the elimination of all state funding for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

We believe this would be unwise and irresponsible. We understand the state needs to save money, but such a drastic and immediate cut threatens the very existence of our state’s PBS and NPR stations.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) is a state agency that receives about half its revenues from the state. For every $1 the state invests in it, WVPB matches it with $1.

Susan C. Hogan is the Chair of Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Ted Armbrecht is the Chair of West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation

But if state funding is completely eliminated, West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the state of West Virginia stand to lose much of those matching funds – hurting our economy even more.

Many of our costs are fixed (programming, tower leases, electricity.) This state cut would translate into layoffs of up to 75 percent of our staff, which would endanger our ability to operate.

These proposed cuts are even more damaging because the Justice Administration did not consult anyone at West Virginia Public Broadcasting for advice. Currently, there is no transition plan for WVPB.

Eliminating all state funding endangers our ability to provide PBS Kids programming to low-income children who need it the most. WVPB’s main PBS channel provide 67 hours per week of educational children’s programming. And the station just launched a new 24/7 PBS Kids Channel.

The elimination of funding also hurts more than 6,000 educators and homeschoolers who depend on videos and curricula on our West Virginia Learning Media website.

This budget also eliminates all funding for WVPB’s Mountain Stage, West Virginia’s calling card to the world. More than 13,000 people attended a Mountain Stage concert in West Virginia last year, leading to more than $1 million in direct economic impact.

What does the Governor’s proposed elimination of all funding for Mountain Stage save? $300,000.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting operates a 27-tower network that reaches all corners of our state. These proposed cuts would force many of the towers to be turned off. Even that takes time and money to do — and not doing it properly will expose the state to multi-million dollar lawsuits.

It also could hurt the ability of our first responders to talk with one another. WVPB hosts Office of Emergency Services on 11 of its towers at no cost to the state.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting also provides the only secure broadcast link out of the state Capitol. During the 2016 June Floods, it provided a satellite feed and live webstream of an emergency press conference for all the media.

In fact, West Virginia Public Broadcasting is increasingly providing a pool feed of events for all the media to use. For example, it provided the only video feed of Gov. Justice’s inauguration, and his State of the State Address.

More than 10,000 people are active members of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, providing an annual donation that matches the state’s investment.

As leaders of the two non-profit organizations that support West Virginia Public Broadcasting, we and our 10,000-plus members plan to ask the Legislature to restore this crucial funding, and convince Governor Justice of the value of this service.

Sincerely,

Susan C. Hogan, Chair, Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Ted Armbrecht, Chair, West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation

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