Tell Governor Rendell and the legislature to restore funding for WQED.
WQED Local Programming in Danger
These locally produced shows you enjoy watching on WQED are at risk of being cut back or going off the air.
That's because Governor Rendell's new state budget eliminates state funding for WQED.
Don't let this happen.
Public Television Funding Rally in Harrisburg
On May 5, 2009, WQED and the seven other television stations across the state joined forces, along with moms, grandparents, children, community leaders, a few "costume characters" and the media at an "I Want My Public TV" rally in Harrisburg in the Capitol Rotunda. Here is a video news release (VNR) which was sent statewide to all broadcast outlets. Print media across the state also told our story by featuring the rally, including when the "stroller moms" made personal visits to key members of the legislature to ask that funding be restored.
More than 100 people were part of the rally -- but we lost count so we know there were more -- and they sang songs and spoke about the value of public television. WQED Board Member and State Representative, Dan Frankel, and our own GM Deb Acklin, took an active part in the event, as you will see in the VNR!
Stay tuned for more as our campaign continues... and thank you for your continuing support and efforts on behalf of WQED and public TV across the Commonwealth!
Is Public Television Worth Two Cents a Week to You?
In February, Governor Rendell presented his 26.6 billion dollar state budget, which eliminated total funding for the eight public television stations in Pennsylvania. This amounted to a cut of $1.1 million in station grant funding for WQED.
I ask that you please read the following ten reasons why public television stations' funding should not be eliminated in Pennsylvania. Please contact the governor, your local state senator, and state representative using the links at the bottom of the page. Please tell them that WQED is a community asset and cannot afford total elimination of state funding. Also, feel free to forward this e-mail to friends and family members.
Thank you for helping WQED.
Yours in progress,
George L. Miles, Jr.
President and CEO
WQED Multimedia
Protect WQED - Preserve State Funding
Pennsylvania's Public Television Stations Respond to the Governors Budget Proposal
How does the proposed state budget affect Pennsylvania's eight public stations?
The proposed budget eliminates all funding for station operations ($7.9 million) and reduces technical support from $4.34 million to $2 million. It also provides no funding for the Pennsylvania Public Television Network to function as an independent Commission of state government.
How does the proposed cut compare with other tough decisions made in the budget?
The proposed cuts are disproportionately large for public television. Many education and cultural agency's budgets were cut between 5.4% (state libraries) to 8% (PA Council on the Arts). The technical support reduction alone is an 18.9% cut in public television funding. We believe that an 18.9% cut means that public television is sacrificing and doing their fair share to solve this budget crisis. Complete elimination of operational grants goes beyond that fair share.
What would the loss of all state funding mean for Pennsylvania's eight public stations?
The impact would be immediate, negative and visible to every Pennsylvania citizen who views public television. The impact would vary by region, depending on how much state funding each station receives. Layoffs would be unavoidable, along with program cuts and service reductions. To put the funding in perspective, WQED would lose $1.1 million in state funding. WQED pays annually $1.7 million in assessments to PBS so we can locally broadcast programs such as NOVA, Sesame Street and Antiques Roadshow.
What are Pennsylvania's public stations asking for in the state budget?
Two items.
One, stations agree that savings of $2.3 million or 18.9% can be achieved, and that essential technology services to the stations can be provided for $2 million. This cutback demonstrates the willingness of stations to assist the Commonwealth in addressing the current budget crisis.
Two, keeping in mind that Pennsylvania will save 18.9% in reduced technology expenditures, we ask that station grants funding be retained at the last years budget level of $7,995,000 for the eight public television stations in Pennsylvania. These funds are essential to providing educational and non-commercial services directly to Pennsylvania citizens.
Top Ten Reasons Pennsylvania's Public Stations Deserve Your Support
Public television is free, even to the 15 % of Americans who don't subscribe or can't financially pay for cable service.
Our public stations are non-commercial. They offer family-friendly, commercial-free programs and services that include documentaries, news, and educational projects with fact-based and fair treatment of issues.
Our public stations are local, most are the only community-owned media organizations in their regions. Service to the region and state (not distant stockholders) is their first consideration.
Every week, 3.3 million people watch public television in Pennsylvania.
Every week, 571,000 children watch safe, educational, public television programs. Every year, public stations air 9,724 hours of children's programs in Pennsylvania.
Last year, 17,681 Pennsylvania teachers received additional training from public television stations in Pennsylvania.
Cable look-alike channels aren't the same. Public television profiles American presidents in multiple-hour programs that are uninterrupted by commercials. The Biography Channel profiles ABBA and Sylvester Stallone in hours interrupted by commercials.
More than 175,000 people contribute annually to Pennsylvania's eight public television stations. These donors represent a broad base of voluntary and local support for high quality programming. Public television thanks the many supporters who contribute financially, but unfortunately they only represent 10% of viewers.
Pennsylvania's public stations employ more than 600 people and generate $99 million in revenues. The Commonwealths $7.9 million, which is invested in station grants, leverages more than $91 million additional dollars from various sources such as foundations and viewers like you.
As a state-wide network, Pennsylvania's public stations are the backup system for emergency alert and Amber alert notifications.
Bottom Line
With this year's budget funding set at $9,950,000--$2 million for technology and $7,995,000 for station grants--the state's investment in public stations will be reduced by 18.9%, contributing $2.34 million toward solving the state's budget crisis. For a yearly investment of just 81 cents per resident (or 2 cents a week), Pennsylvanians will continue to receive a free, educational, family-friendly, public television network.
What are we asking you to do?
We are asking every person who values public television and radio to make their voice heard on the proposal to restore technical support and station funding at $9,995,000, while reducing the states total expenditures to public television by 18.9% ($2.34 million reduction). Ask your State Senator and State Representative to support public station funding at $9,995,000. Ask the Governor to do the same.
Who are the eight public stations in Pennsylvania?
WHYY/ Philadelphia; WQED/Pittsburgh; MIND-TV/ Philadelphia; WITF/ Harrisburg; WLVT/Bethlehem; WPSU/State College; WQLN/Erie; and WVIA/ Pittston.
In February, Governor Rendell presented his 26.6 billion dollar state budget, which eliminated total funding for the eight public television stations in Pennsylvania. This amounted to a cut of $1.1 million in station grant funding for WQED.
