Education Committee hears reappointment testimony for Nebraska Public Media commission

The Nebraska Legislature Education Committee on Tuesday heard gubernatorial reappointment testimony for two members of the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission, the body that governs Nebraska Public Media. Committee Chair Senator Dave Merman opened the public hearing and said each appointee would give an opening statement followed by questions from committee members.

Clay Smith, who described himself as a Lincoln resident and president of Speedway Motors, sought reappointment and recounted his long involvement with public media and local cultural organizations. "My name is Clay Smith," he told the committee, then described his background in business and service: "I've had the pleasure of serving on a lot of local boards," and called Nebraska Public Media "a pillar of [the] national public television system." Smith told senators he helped…