President Trump on Tuesday afternoon formally requested Congress to claw back the $1.1 billion in federal subsidies for public broadcasting that lawmakers had already approved earlier this year.
Although we’ve known this was a possibility, this direct action reflects a heightened threat to Classical KC and KCUR's existing and future federal funding.
If Congress approves the request, Classical KC and KCUR would need to immediately find ways to replace this funding in order to keep our programming robust and our services uninterrupted.
What's at stake
As we've shared before, the taxpayer investment of just about $1.60 per person annually is provided to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to be distributed in part to local stations, including Classical KC and KCUR.
Funding for public broadcasting has enjoyed wide bipartisan support from both Congress and listeners since beginning in 1975.
This funding supports not only the programming you receive from Classical KC at no charge every single day — it also includes indirect services such as the Emergency Broadcasting Service, music rights, and more.
Public media's role in protecting and informing citizens in an emergency is vital, and it was particularly relevant recently, as tornadoes touched down in the Kansas City metro. 91.9 Classical KC and KCUR 89.3 remained on the air to keep listeners updated, published breaking news alerts online, and dispatched reporters across the city to report on damages.
"Enacting this rescission will remove crucial funding for station activities causing immediate budget shortfalls," said NPR CEO Katherine Maher in a statement. "This would result in cancellation of beloved local and national programming, a reduction in local news coverage and newsroom jobs, a severe curtailing (if not elimination) of public radio music stations who depend on CPB."
"96 percent of all classical music broadcast in the country appears on public radio. The (funding) clawback could force those stations to go silent."Katharine Maher, President and CEO of National Public Radio
Maher adds that "Currently, CPB negotiates discounted licenses that allow stations to offer a wide array of music and arts programming as well as broadcast the performances of local artists, symphonies, and orchestras at low or no cost, providing efficient music rights management solutions for every public media station. If this goes away, the vast majority of stations could not afford to purchase licenses, and it would be nearly impossible for individual stations to negotiate the same licenses and fees on their own. "
What's next
By law, the president's rescission request kicks off a 45-day period for Congress to take under consideration.
The House could vote on the rescission package as early as next week — only a simple majority is needed to pass it. Should the proposal pass the House, it would then go to the U.S. Senate.
What you can do right now
- Sign up for email alerts from KCUR so you never miss an update. You can do that here.
- Receive Classical KC updates via our monthly newsletter Take Note. You can do that here.
- Spread the word. Forward this page or email above to someone who values independent local news and music programming.
- Speak up via Protect My Public Media, the nonprofit public media advocacy organization.
- Support KCUR or Classical KC directly by making a donation.
And if you're already a member, thank you for standing for public media when it matters most.
