DeSantis Vetoes Funding For Public Broadcasting

The budget passed by lawmakers isn’t even for programing:

Gov. Ron DeSantis yet again vetoed a tranche of funding designed to remedy safety issues at Florida’s public broadcasting stations. A total of $6,435,609 made the budget to “correct health and safety issues, correct building deficiencies, and complete renovations at public broadcasting stations.”

The Miami station will not get $19,855 to replace its HVAC Air Handler. WEDU-TV, which serves Tampa/St. Petersburg, also won’t get the $347,628 sought to replace decayed and mildewed ceiling tiles.

In the same market, WUSF-FM won’t get the $172,134 to replace damaged wiring. Also in Tampa, WMNF won’t get $479,770 requested to replace its main generator and fuel tank. WKGC-FM of Panama City will not get the $215,050 requested to replace its failing main generator, transfer switch and fuel tank.

Read the full article. The piece goes on to catalog similar needs at many other stations, some of which are surely related to hurricane damage.

Veto list: @GovRonDeSantis nixes funding for public broadcasting stations

Reporting by @AGGancarskihttps://t.co/HswrBdzqaA#FlaPol

— Florida Politics (@Fla_Pol) June 15, 2023