On Thursday, July 17, the U.S. Senate voted to claw back funding for public media. The bill now moves back to the House for final consideration.
Should this pass, it will have immediate and drastic implications for the more than 1,500 public radio and television stations across the country — including KCUR and Classical KC.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which administers federal funds for public media, costs taxpayers only about $1.60 per person, each year.
Its grants help public stations reach 99% of Americans, and they're efficient: Every federal dollar invested into public media returns $8 from local sources.
Losing this funding would weaken the entire public media system, hitting rural stations first and hardest.
Should these funds be eliminated, KCUR and Classical KC would need to immediately find ways to replace this funding in order to keep our programming robust and our services uninterrupted.
We are fortunate that nearly 85% of our budget comes from our community — from people like you — who believe in our local mission to provide locally focused 24 hour classical music online, on the air, and on-demand.
No matter what happens in D.C., we remain firmly committed to serving our local community right here in the Kansas City metro. You are our priority.
What can Classical KC supporters do right now?
Here are four easy ways you can help.
1. Support Classical KC directly by making a donation.
2. Sign up for email alerts so you never miss an update. You can do that here.
2. Spread the word. Forward this page or that email above to someone who values independent local public media.
3. Speak up via Protect My Public Media, the nonprofit public media advocacy organization.
And if you're already a member, thank you for standing for public media when it matters most.