Political Quotes

“One program that was particularly hard hit this year is the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP). The funding level this year is $32.5 million--less than half of last year's appropriation of $73.3 million. As the founding Chair of the Congressional Public Broadcasting Caucus, I have seen first hand how vital the PTFP program is to communities across the country. Every public television station in America has been issued a mandate to be on the air with a digital signal. The enormous costs of the conversion from analog transmission to digital transmission, estimated at $1.7 billion, are simply too much for the system to bear alone. If we are to ensure that our local communities continue to receive the rich educational, cultural and informational programs and services offered by local public television stations, we must provide them some financial assistance. Local stations are working with state and private funders, and a federal commitment of matching funds would greatly enhance their success.”