A silent, forty-second video message began airing recently on VermontPBS, informing viewers of budget cuts being considered by the Vermont legislature and what could be at risk for the station as a result.VermontPBSis the state’s only public television station and serves nearly every Vermonter with free, non-partisan, non-commercial programming. The station offers highly rated educational children’s programming viewed each day by approximately 18,000 Vermont children ages 2-11. The station also supports more than 2,000 teachers, homeschoolers and day care providers who rely on educational programs and online resources to ensure that Vermont’s children enter school ready to learn.
“Offering all Vermonters access to education, information and culture of the highest standard is central to the public and private missions of VermontPBSand that is why state funding is so important,” said Holly Groschner, president and CEO of VermontPBS. “We believe that it is important to raise awareness about what’s at stake should we lose state funding and to empower Vermonters to speak out and be heard if VermontPBSmatters to them.”
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The House of Representatives voted in April to reduce VermontPBSfunding by approximately half of Governor Shumlin’s budget proposal, which had recommended level funding for the seventh consecutive year. The House has also voted to eliminate capital funding. The cuts would take effect in fiscal year 2016, which begins in July. The House proposal would then eliminate all remaining funding in fiscal year 2017. The loss of state funding would drive a reduction in federal matching funds for a combined loss of about $850,000 or 20% of the organization’s operating funds. The proposal is now in the Senate.
With programs likeAsk the GovernorandVermont This Week,VermontPBSis deeply committed to its mission to inform and empower Vermonters to have a voice in the issues that matter most to them. The on-air announcement shares information clearly and directly and offers a way for viewers to speak out and be heard.
“This is an exciting time for VermontPBSas we take our content to new platforms such as smartphones and tablets and look for new ways to put more Vermont in VermontPBS,” Groschner continued. “We’ve always thought of the state as a partner in this endeavor, and their continued support will allow us to meet the challenges of new technology and continue to reach more underserved and elderly Vermonters.”
If funding is reduced, VermontPBShas not specifically determined how it will manage the reduction, but it is anticipated that programming and staffing will be impacted.
To learn more about VermontPBSand find out how you can get involved visit:www.vermontpbs.org/value