Quick Takes
CPB director’s second op-ed against federal funds draws public rebuke from board leaders
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Howard Husock’s latest essay appeared Thursday in “The Hill.”
Current (https://current.org/tag/cpb/page/8/)
Howard Husock’s latest essay appeared Thursday in “The Hill.”
“I’ve continued to think about what a post-subsidy system would be like, as a practical matter,” Howard Husock told Current.
“There is a little money in the budget left to allow us to wind down the federal position,” said OMB director Mick Mulvaney.
Service cuts and adjusting budgets can only go so far, says Station Resource Group co-CEO Tom Thomas.
“We could put an end to funding permanently through statute,” says Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.). “And it’s probably time to do that.”
The research also found that 37 percent “strongly disagree” with President Trump’s desire to stop funding entities including CPB.
“We need strong leadership to ensure we are as effective as possible,” CPB President Pat Harrison said.
Costs of equipment replacement are projected to reach $256 million by 2019, as aging transmitters reach their end of life.
The FCC will initially cover 90 percent of station expenses, but some stations may have to carry forward a portion of costs.
Board members called Howard Husock an “embarrassment.”
Pat Harrison visited the Hill to explain why public media deserves federal support.
Past votes may indicate how legislators weighing in on CPB’s appropriation will address the White House’s proposed end to federal funding.
The likelihood of total defunding seems slim — but public media would surely see some changes if support really were cut.
And a sitting CPB board member discusses why the corporation should be defunded.
Future appropriations are also at risk.
“The policy is, we’re ending federal involvement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” said Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney.
CPB and Eagle Hill Consulting are asking all local stations — radio, TV and joint licensees — to complete the assessment by March 31.
The White House has not contacted CPB about any new nominations.
Also, New Yorker writer Jelani Cobb will receive a Writers Guild award for his contributions to a “Frontline” documentary.
Three joint licensees will share $500,000.