Nebraska Public Media asks committee to limit cuts after sudden $4 million federal loss

Nebraska Public Media’s general manager, Stacy Decker, told the Appropriations Committee the organization absorbed a sudden $4,000,000 federal funding cut and urged lawmakers to limit state appropriation reductions to avoid further erosion of services.

"This sudden $4,000,000 federal cut... puts some of these services at risk," Decker said, asking the committee to limit reductions to no more than 2% for FY26‑27 and to minimize mid‑year cuts for FY25‑26 so the agency can adjust operationally. Decker said the network has leaned more heavily on philanthropy and partnerships but that donations are not a reliable substitute for baseline state support.

Decker also requested a programmatic rebalance: transfer $60,000 in annual cash fund spending authority from program 533 (television) to program 566 (radio) to cover operating expenses for recent radio buildouts in Falls City, McCook, Columbus and Broken Bow. Board member Carol Russell and citizen supporter Al Verandt described the public‑media role in statewide emergency alerts, educational content and televised high school sports, arguing cuts would reduce statewide access and emergency communications capacity.

The committee asked how much the legislature pays for televising sessions; Decker said Nebraska Public Media provides coverage and archival storage in partnership with the clerk's office but does not receive a dedicated operating payment for airing sessions. The hearing ended with no committee action recorded on the requested rebalance or on program‑level funding recommendations.

What happens next: The committee retains the agency’s testimony in the budget record; any change to appropriations or the requested reallocation would require committee action and inclusion in the mid‑biennium recommendations.