Public Radio's Future: UPDATE Mar. 12th

The just released US House Continuing Resolution would eliminate funding for the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP)

PTFP is absolutely essential to construction of KSER's new public radio station on Whidbey Island. We are just wrapping up our request to PTFP for a grant of over $150,000, which would cover half of the cost of the construction of our new station.

KSER has qualified for funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, but CPB does NOT fund construction projects such as our Whidbey station.

If we cannot raise the funds and complete construction by Nov. 2013, the FCC will withdraw the permit and open it back up to other applicants. Last time this frequency was available, KSER was one of 11 applicants. Seven of those were in fact part of nationwide Christian broadcast networks and would operate the station as a repeater, with NO LOCAL CONTENT whatsoever.

Federal funding through PTFP for new station construction is essential to providing critical, local public radio programming to communities such as Island County.

Congress must enact another short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) no later than March 18th to avoid a government shutdown. The potential "must-pass" nature of the House three-week CR presents a significant challenge to efforts to restore funding for PTFP.

We strongly encourage all KSER listeners and supporters to contact their elected representatives to voice your support for continued federal funding for CPB and for PTFP.

Please THANK Rep. Jay Inslee, Rep. Rick Larsen, and Sen. Maria Cantwell for their support so far. They have taken a strong stand in support of funding for public broadcasting.

Contact your friends in WA districts whose representatives opposed funding for public broadcasting.

Continue to reach out to your friends and family, and encourage them to sign up at 170MillionAmericans.org and at Facebook.com/170Million over the next two weeks.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support! Together we can ensure the future of public broadcasting!