Committee advances $2.275 million package to support Greater Minnesota public television

Chair Cleborn introduced House File 3936, a one-time general fund appropriation to support public television stations outside the Twin Cities. The sponsor said the A1 amendment aligns the bill with the Senate by changing the appropriation year from 2027 to 2026.

Bill Straczynski, counsel for public television, told the committee federal rescissions eliminated $9 million for Minnesota public television last fall and that several stations face 30–40% reductions in operating revenue; he described the requested state funds as a ‘‘transition plan’’ to avoid further layoffs and program cuts. "We lost $9 million from the federal government... some of them 30 and 40% of their budget," Straczynski said.

Sherry Lamke, president and general manager of Pioneer PBS in Granite Falls, said her station lost 30% of funding and 30% of staff, shuttered some programs and is drawing on final reserves. Lamke described a request for $350,000 for Pioneer PBS and $1,925,000 for the Greater Minnesota coalition as a bridge to preserve local programming and emergency messaging.

Members pressed about offsets and fiscal notes given the state’s structural deficit. Sponsor Chair Cleborn explained that an exact appropriation often does not carry a separate fiscal note and that Ways and Means will reconcile offsets and priorities; members said fiscal trade-offs will be debated there.

After discussion the committee approved the A1 and moved HF3936 to Ways and Means as amended.