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WTJX warns federal funding cuts could force program cuts as station seeks $4.43 million
Summary
WTJX, the U.S. Virgin Islands public broadcasting system, told the Legislature’s budget committee it needs level funding of $4,431,902 plus contingency for rising costs and possible federal cuts; officials also described a failed Saint John parade broadcast, signal gaps on St. Croix and FEMA rebuild work above budget.
The Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System (WTJX) told senators on July 15 that it needs continued government support as possible federal funding cuts and local budget pressures threaten services and long‑running programming.
Executive Director Tanya Marie Singh told the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance that the system’s requested government ceiling for fiscal 2026 is $4,431,902. She told the committee WTJX is both the territory’s PBS member station and an NPR member station that provides “noncommercial, educational, cultural, public affairs programs” to the territory and surrounding islands.
The concern at the hearing centered on federal uncertainty. Singh and Chief Financial Officer Nedra Thomas said WTJX could lose roughly $1.3 million in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) if Congressional action and an executive order are implemented. “We already received those monies,” Thomas told the committee of the station’s CPB award for the current fiscal year, but both she and Singh warned that future CPB support is uncertain and that any rescission or long‑term cut would be “catastrophic” for public media nationally and locally.
Why it matters: WTJX supplies local news, election coverage and civic programming used by elderly and homebound residents, and it archives cultural events. Committee members flagged the public‑service value of broadcasting parades and carnival events, which many residents rely on for civic and cultural connection.
Major points from WTJX testimony - Federal risk: CFO Nedra Thomas said WTJX’s CPB funding is “approximately 1,300,000.0” and that stations nationwide were lobbying members of Congress and other federal offices over a rescission package and executive actions that would curtail CPB grants. WTJX said it has spent current federal awards, but future funding remains uncertain. - Saint John parade: Singh said WTJX stopped broadcasting the Saint John parade this year after repeated, unsuccessful requests to the Department of Tourism for underwriting. Sen. Marvin Bridal and others urged the Legislature to require stable funding; several senators proposed a legislative line item or an MOU with Tourism to ensure the broadcasts continue. Singh told the committee she had written the tourism commissioner and that outreach had gone unanswered. - Signal gaps on St. Croix: The station described limited FM coverage on St. Croix. Interim engineering director Unel Maduro and Singh said FCC restrictions limit FM translator options and that the alternatives are (1) acquire an FM translator (currently under a moratorium) or (2) buy a radio station with adequate coverage — a costly option. Singh said WTJX has contacted potential sellers but prices discussed so far have been “exorbitant.” - FEMA rebuild and bids: Disaster recovery specialist Kia Taneek Thomas said a rebuild bid for the mountaintop facility came in roughly $5 million over budget; WTJX is redesigning the project with architects and the Office of Disaster Recovery to reduce costs and fit FEMA funding. - Operations and staffing: WTJX reported 38 employees, three vacancies and recent wage increases for union staff and some managers. The station said it raised roughly $386,000 in development and fundraising in FY24 (including $222,000 from development work) and also earns some rent from tower space and limited commercial underwriting, but those revenues do not replace government or federal support.
Committee response and next steps Senators pressed WTJX for more financial detail and urged the administration and Department of Tourism to prioritize parade underwriting. Several senators proposed a legislative line item from Tourism’s revolving fund to guarantee parade broadcasts; one senator called for an interagency MOU. Committee members also suggested exploring partnerships to improve St. Croix signal coverage and encouraging the station to broaden fundraising and private underwriting.
What WTJX asked for and what it plans Singh asked the committee to fund the station’s requested ceiling and to help secure stable local and federal support. WTJX said it will continue to redesign FEMA projects to fit available grant funding, pursue additional revenue streams, and press federal partners and Congress on CPB funding.
End note: WTJX’s testimony included an inventory of recent programming and community partnerships, and the station emphasized its audits are unmodified and that a single audit was performed with no findings reported. Senators said they would consider supplemental funding options and potentially a line item for parade underwriting during markup.
