Federal Funding

There is hopeful news about federal funding. On February 13, the President submitted his FY 2013 $3.8 trillion budget proposal to Congress. It contained a request for full funding – $445 million – for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)’s FY 2015 two-year advance appropriation.

For over 30 years, CPB has received two-year advance appropriations, a practice we believe to be essential for stations’ continued autonomy in program decision-making and certainty in business planning. To date, CPB has retained level funding at $445 million for FY 2012, 2013, 2014, and now 2015 in the President’s proposed budget.

President Obama submitted his Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 budget to Congress.  He requested full funding – $445 million – for CPB’s FY 2015 advance.

CPB’s two-year advance appropriation, in place since 1976, serves as a “firewall” designed to protect public media’s independence.   CPB’s appropriation provides essential funding to local and national content and approximately 70 percent goes directly to stations across the country to support service to communities. 

The President's request reaffirms that federal funding for public media is a vital investment – one that continues to deliver proven value and service to our country. 

We appreciate the President’s support, which is very important as Congress now considers our appropriation. 

It’s difficult to predict the future of federal funding for public broadcasting.  If the last few years are an indicator, the future will be very bumpy.  Congress is in deficit-cutting mode, and cutting or elimination of federal funding to public broadcasting makes for an easy and high-profiled target for politicians.

Any cut in Wyoming Public Media’s federal funding is a blow.  We currently receive a yearly $280,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which comprises approximately 12% of our operating budget and provides funding for key positions and services.