It’s official: The White House has asked Congress to claw back previously approved federal funding for public media, threatening the existence of Mountain Lake PBS.
While Congress has 45 days to consider the proposal, the House is expected to act swiftly, possibly within days. If lawmakers fail to approve it — or can’t get the votes to pass it — the funding will be restored.
Federal funding is critical to Mountain Lake PBS, making up about 35% of our annual budget. Without that funding, life-saving emergency alerts, proven educational resources for families, trusted local journalism/storytelling, and enriching cultural programs that reach people across our region are at risk.
Multiple studies, including a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, have concluded that there is no viable substitute for federal funding. If lost, the impact would be devastating. The stakes have never been higher.
Our partner, Protect My Public Media, is mobilizing public media supporters to safeguard public media’s future. It will take every supporter speaking up to protect the funding — only about $1.60 per person each year — that ensures public media remains available to everyone. With the House potentially acting soon, calling Congress now is more important than ever. Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to make your voice heard before it’s too late.