There IS no direct federal funding for NPR but don't let that stop you

[1gobluedem]

Why let facts get in the way of a ridiculous piece of legislation?

"On Thursday, March 17th, the House will consider legislation that addresses funding for NPR. Although the text of this legislation is not yet available, according to House Majority Whip, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, this legislation will,

* “Prohibit direct federal funding of NPR;

* Prohibit the use of federal funds provided to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for payment of dues to NPR; and,

* Prohibit the use of federal funds provided by CPB for acquiring or producing program.”



I see. Well, it's good to know that at least it's not petty politics . It's a budget thing. Sure.

[pipoman]

1. No, a portion of Corporation for Public Broadcasting

budget goes directly to fund NPR and PBS. I believe that lawmakers should be able to limit how funds they provide to non-profits are spent.

[1gobluedem]

2. Yes, CPB receives the funds

And distributes them to member stations plus a small portion to NPR and PBS. But Congress doesn't fund NPR or PBS directly. They fund CPB. It's different.

[pipoman]

3. A fairly significant portion of their budget..

CPB's annual budget is composed almost entirely of an annual appropriation from Congress plus interest on those funds.<3> For fiscal year 2010, its appropriation was $422 million (including $2 million in interest earned). The distribution of these funds were as follows:<4>

* $21.0 million (a maximum of 5 percent of the total budget) for CPB administrative costs
* $25.2 million (a maximum of 6 percent of the total budget) for funds to support the Public Broadcasting Service generally, as opposed to specific stations.
* $281.85 million (66.8 percent of the total budget) for public television, distributed as:

* $210.26 million as grants to individual public television stations
* $71.59 million for public television programming

* $93.94 million (22.3 percent of total budget) for public radio, distributed as:

* $65.41 million as grants to individual public radio stations
* $21.74 million as grants for radio programming acquisition
* $6.79 million for public radio programming


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation_for_Public_Broadcasting

[1gobluedem]

4. Right. It goes overwhelmingly to MEMBER stations, not NPR

Only 2% of NPR's budget comes from CPB and NPR doesn't receive any direct funding from Congress. CPB was formed to receive the federal funds and distribute them to stations.

[pipoman]

5. No problem then, they'll just have to make up the 2% elsewhere

or cut their budget like virtually every other business has had to lately. I don't have a problem with gov. subsidies in severely under served areas. Most people have access to 300 TV stations now days, it isn't the 60's anymore. I live in a rural area not served by a cable company and I still have 300 stations. I'm not sure why The Antiques Roadshow should have their program broadcast with .gov subsidies.

[Iris]

6. I have 300 stations, too and most of it's crap.

I'm glad there's PBS for programming that might not be commercially feasible on cable but still has value.