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11h ago

Houston Public Media Launches $4.4 Million Resiliency Fund After Federal Funding Cuts

A community-backed fund will cover the 10% budget shortfall caused by Senate Republicans' approval of rescinding all federal public media funding.

Houston Public could lose $2.2 million a year if the House follows Senate in approving funding clawbacks.
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Overview

  • Senate Republicans approved the rescissions package by a 51-48 vote on July 17, with Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski as the only Republican dissenters.
  • The measure reclaimed $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and nearly $8 billion earmarked for foreign aid.
  • It wiped out $537 million in CPB support scheduled through 2027 and left Houston Public Media with a $2.2 million annual funding gap.
  • Houston Public Media has launched a $4.4 million Resiliency Fund campaign to sustain local news coverage, educational content and emergency broadcasts over the next two years.
  • Advocates say without similar grassroots campaigns, smaller-market NPR and PBS stations could face severe cutbacks or closures.