Meeting of the Board of Regents | April 2009
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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 |
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TO: |
Cultural Education Committee |
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FROM: |
Jeffrey W. Cannell |
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SUBJECT: |
Allocation of Aid to Public Broadcasters |
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DATE: |
April 3, 2009
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STRATEGIC GOAL:
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4
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AUTHORIZATION(S): |
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SUMMARY
Issue for Discussion
The Cultural Education Committee will discuss the method of allocating funds for Educational Broadcast Councils and Public Radio Stations.
Reason(s) for Consideration
For information.
Proposed Handling
The Committee will hear a report from the Office of Educational Television and Public Broadcasting on the allocation formula for distribution of State Aid to public broadcasting institutions.
Background Information
The Governor proposed, in Section 55.1 of Article 7 of the 2009-2010 Executive Budget, that the Commissioner of Education
1. “undertake a review of the methodology used to allocate aid to educational
broadcast councils and public radio stations … [and] consider if the current allocation methodology for aid … should be modified given the level of aid … in the 2009-10 state fiscal year,” and to
2. “ensure recipients of such aid will continue to receive an equitable share of such aid…”
At the March 2009 Cultural Education Committee meeting, the committee was briefly informed of this language, and the Office of Educational Television & Public Broadcasting reported that it would provide an opportunity for public broadcasting managers to comment on the allocation methodology. However, the provision was removed from the negotiated budget that (as we write) is to be enacted on or before April 1, 2009.
The negotiated budget includes $15,002,000 to be allocated to the stations, which represents a 20% cut from the allocation for the current (08-09) state fiscal year – a significant improvement over the Governor’s executive budget, which included a 50% cut, down to $9,415,000, to be allocated.
The Committee’s interest in the matter, expressed both at the Cultural Education Committee meeting and the full Board meeting in March, warrants a review and discussion of the allocation methodology and whether it provides for equitable shares of aid for the stations.
Recommendation
Advise the Deputy Commissioner as to whether any further review should be undertaken.