PBS takes a hit
The big news coming out of the last day is how PBS took a $500,000 hit in the budgetary process. Terry Woster of the Argus Leader filed this early report on the whole thing including a mention of it:
Arthur, Barney, the Bernstain Bears, Clifford, Dragon Tales, Buster, Sesame Street, Teletubbies. For most adults, it's hard to figure out why Government needs to subsidize THEM. When faced with the merchandising machines pushing these characters, sometimes we parents feel that we'd like a subsidy when faced with purchasing those darn toys at Christmas.
Now don't get me wrong. My family has supported public broadcasting for years. My Dad's a friend of public broadcasting. (I'm merely an acquaintance).
The big thing to watch here is whether or not this ends up becoming a political issue this election year in South Dakota with people protesting against the decision and others saying "it's about time." Will "PBS forever" become a rallying cry during debates? Will there even be a SD PBS debate series this year?
Who knows. I guess we'll just have to stay tuned.
The budget includes a $500,000 cut in funding for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Democrats in each house tried unsuccessfully to have that money restored. A Republican on the budget committee said even with the cut, the SDPB budget will have a balance at the end of next year of $475,000.PBS has been a bone of contention for years among many politicans. Why? Well for one, their kids programming is a merchandising bonanza. Check out how many familiar faces are here at pbskids.org.
Arthur, Barney, the Bernstain Bears, Clifford, Dragon Tales, Buster, Sesame Street, Teletubbies. For most adults, it's hard to figure out why Government needs to subsidize THEM. When faced with the merchandising machines pushing these characters, sometimes we parents feel that we'd like a subsidy when faced with purchasing those darn toys at Christmas.
Now don't get me wrong. My family has supported public broadcasting for years. My Dad's a friend of public broadcasting. (I'm merely an acquaintance).
The big thing to watch here is whether or not this ends up becoming a political issue this election year in South Dakota with people protesting against the decision and others saying "it's about time." Will "PBS forever" become a rallying cry during debates? Will there even be a SD PBS debate series this year?
Who knows. I guess we'll just have to stay tuned.
Comments
P.S. SDPB is not the same as PBS. For one thing, it has radio, internet and educational elements, besides the television station.
Maybe you should become a Friend of South Dakota Public Broadcasting. In fact I'll throw out a challenge. I'll increase my current membership by whatever amount you donate.
Republicans in the SD legislature apparently think the mushroom treatment helps them with their barefoot and pregnant approach to women and their endorsement of Rapist Rights. I guess if I were that regressive, I might like to pull the dark ages cover over my head.
Years ago, they apparently demanded that SDPB never show the electronic voting boards..wouldn't want their constituents to know until after the session is over how they actually vote.
PP are really sure you want to keep supporting these guys? Now and then you seem to make a lot of sense.