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Committee advances Corey Custer nomination to MPB board; Custer flags $22.5M shortfall, towers need repair
Summary
Corey Custer, nominated to the Education Television Authority/MPB, told the committee MPB faces roughly a $22.5 million budget shortfall and emphasized tower repairs and Mississippi-focused content; the committee advised and consented.
The committee received Senate Nomination No. 883 for Corey Joseph Custer to the Education Television Authority (MPB) for the remainder of a four-year term ending 06/30/2028. Custer, who identified himself as Governor Reeves’ deputy chief of staff for external affairs, summarized professional experience in federal and state roles and described priorities if confirmed: expanding MPB’s education reach, producing more Mississippi-based content and preserving emergency broadcasting capacity.
Custer told senators he has discussed funding with MPB leadership and estimated a shortfall: "I think there's about, $22,500,000 budget shortfall that they are looking to fill." He highlighted the Reach distance-learning program and said replacing aging broadcast towers is a priority to maintain emergency alerts. Multiple senators praised the focus on local content and urged assistance with tower repairs; Senator Hill explicitly connected tourism and Parks programming as partnership opportunities for MPB. After discussion, the committee advised and consented to the nomination by voice vote.
