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U.S. GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
GP
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2021
U.S. SENATE,
SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS,
Washington, DC.
[CLERK'S NOTE.-The subcommittee was unable to hold hearings
on departmental and nondepartmental witnesses. The statements
and letters of those submitting written testimony are as follows:]
DEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES
PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE AMERICA'S PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS AND
THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE
On behalf of America's 159 public television licensees, we appreciate the oppor-
tunity to submit testimony for the record on the importance of Federal funding for
local public television stations and PBS. We urge the Subcommittee to support $515
million in two-year advance funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
(CPB) in fiscal year 2023, $20 million for the Public Television Interconnection Sys-
tem in fiscal year 2021 and $30 million for the Ready To Learn program at the De-
partment of Education in fiscal year 2021.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting: $515 million (fiscal year 2023) two-year ad-
vance funded
Public television plays a key role in educating our children; providing job training;
preserving our culture and democracy; and keeping Americans informed, safe and
healthy. Federal funding for CPB makes these services available to all Americans,
including those in rural and underserved areas, and this funding enjoys the over-
whelming support of the American people. At about $1.40 per person per year, this
funding provides an enormous return on investment for all Americans.
Yet these vital community-based services were level-funded at $445 million for al-
most a decade-resulting in an approximate $100 million in lost purchasing power.
Recognizing this loss, last year Congress increased the forward funded fiscal year
2022 appropriation for CPB by $20 million. Public television greatly appreciates
that much-needed increase.
While public broadcasting is grateful for this increase, without additional increase
going forward, the public broadcasting system would still be nearly $80 million, in
inflation-adjusted dollars, behind where the system was 10 years ago.
Public broadcasting respectfully requests that Congress take another substantial
step toward securing our current and future public service goals in the fiscal year
2021 appropriations process.
The $515 million that public broadcasting is requesting in fiscal year 2021 for fis-
cal year 2023 will help continue to restore lost purchasing power and enable local
stations to leverage advancements in technology and make investments in the fu-
ture that will educate more children and adults, further enhance public safety and
expand the civic leadership work of local stations.
Given the success of public media, and its potential to do so much more for so
many, it is sound public policy to increase Federal funding for this valuable service
that provides an exceptional return on investment.
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