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 co-chair private fundraising campaigns, including an "Inspire Nebraska" campaign he described as a $25,000,000 effort and a $6,000,000 campaign to build the Ron Holt studio.

Smith and committee members discussed several topics the station handles but the commission does not directly control. When Senator Dan Loneski asked how programming decisions such as which sporting events to televise are made, Smith said "it actually is done by the station. So the commission doesn't have any oversight of that" and added that Nebraska Public Media provides technical production support that allows broader coverage of high school and college events.

Senator Jana Hughes asked about federal funding uncertainty for public media; Smith said he had attended the America's Public Television Conference and that Nebraska's statewide network structure and private support provide advantages. "The national programming is really important to Nebraska Public Television, but the monies that come back to the station usually support the local programming that we do," Smith said, and added that local fundraising and the network's reputation were assets if federal funding changed.

Josephine Liguenowice, who identified herself during public comment, said she supported Smith's reappointment but used much of her time to voice strong criticism of former President Donald Trump. "He's disgusting," she said in her remarks. The committee did not take action on that public comment other than recording it in the hearing record.

The committee then heard from Paul Terman, who introduced himself as chancellor of the Nebraska State College System and said he currently serves on the commission and as its chair. "My name is Paul Terman," he told the committee, and described the commission's archive work that provides audio and video records of legislative hearings. Terman said those archives help campus leaders and board members follow bills that affect the state colleges.

Senators offered thanks and brief compliments to both nominees and asked follow-up questions about technology, archives and the commission's role in supporting athletics and fine arts coverage across the state. Senator Margo Juarez suggested providing brief bill summaries for viewers; Terman and Smith agreed transparency efforts were worthwhile and said staff could explore ways to improve public information.

At the close of the hearing, Chair Merman said the committee would "exec" on the nominees and forward their names to the full Legislature for consideration. The committee then closed the hearings on the two gubernatorial appointments.