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Maine Public seeks $200,000 in supplemental funds to offset lost federal broadcasting grants
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Summary
Maine Public CEO Rick Schneider told committees the corporation lost $2.5 million in federal community broadcasting funding and that a $200,000 supplemental appropriation would help maintain transmission and emergency alert services across the state.
Rick Schneider, president and CEO of Maine Public, testified that the elimination of federal community service grant funding and the shutdown of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting removed a planned $2.5 million from Maine Public's budget. He asked the committees to support a $200,000 supplemental appropriation for operating costs.
Schneider said the appropriation would help maintain the state's broadcast infrastructure and emergency alert capability. He distinguished the supplemental $200,000 operating request from equipment money previously discussed by the committees: the $600,000 equipment package approved by the Education Committee is for localization encoders to tailor emergency alerts by transmitter; the $200,000 would maintain ongoing operations and network upkeep.
On questions, Schneider said FEMA equipment funds remain appropriated but distribution mechanisms are unresolved after CPB's dissolution. He told the panel that equipment grants and federal FEMA programs are being worked through nationally and that Maine Public is seeking reimbursement and equipment support where possible.
Committee members asked for clarification on programming responsibilities and the relationship between state aid and programming; Schneider reiterated that state funding is intended for transmission and emergency infrastructure, not programming, which Maine Public raises through private fundraising.
