By Alan Lytle
Lexington, KY – U.S. Representative Ben Chandler (D-Ky 6th District) has delivered a speech in favor of continuing government funding for public broadcasting. As part of their plan to cut 100 billion dollars from the current federal budget, Republicans want to eliminate all funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Chandler says public radio plays a vital role for many in Kentucky and the nation as a whole.
"How many people across our great nation wake up to NPR and Morning Edition and drive home to All Things Considered? It's a very, very, important part of life I know in my home state we have stations in like WEKU in Richmond, Kentucky and WUKY in Lexington that touch all parts of Kentucky including very rural areas of our Commonwealth."
Congressman Chandler says de-funding public television would be shortsighted and a mistake.
"Public broadcasting is uniquely American and should stay that way for future generations. My three children grew up watching Sesame Street just like I did when I was a kid. And countless others receive basic skills and workplace education; some even receive help with college credit courses through KET."
House Republicans could put the proposal to a vote early next month.