KET worried about loss of nearly $2.9 million in federal funding

[Chubminnow]

I don't know about you all....but I bet KET makes up for at least 50% of my television watching (I don't watch a lot of television)....Someone correct me if I'm wrong but if I remember correctly it seems like only a few years ago that Kentucky Afield had to do some cutting back due to funding, whether that was directly related to KET or not I don't know, but they did have to do some cutting back. I think it resulted in them showing some rerun segments from time to time instead of having to come up with so many new programs on a week-to-week basis. There's a lot of good music shows on KET too.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky’s home for Big Bird and “Antiques Roadshow,” KET, is bracing for a crucial vote in Congress that threatens to pull the plug on federal funding for the network.

Kentucky Educational Television warns that the loss of nearly $2.9 million in federal funding, 14 percent of its budget, would “dramatically alter” its operations.

The cutback is part of a proposal by congressional Republicans to eliminate the federal subsidy for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It is part of a broad package of spending cuts being considered by the House.

Lexington-based KET has mounted a counteroffensive aimed at building opposition to the proposed cut.

KET Executive Director Shae Hopkins has urged the network’s supporters to contact members of Congress; she says the federal funding to KET amounts to about 76 cents for each Kentuckian.

[DJD]

I don't watch that much of KET. I do feel that if the gubment is gonna cut services to the people of this country who pay the feakin bills then they should make huge cuts to folks around the world who we support first.

I'm not specfically saying KET is untouchable...I'm just venting over how we as citizens get taxes increased and then after the gubment tosses money around like it grows on trees comes back at us and basically penalizes us for their stupid ways.
I better stop!! The BP is getting up.

[GeoFisher]

I don't watch that much of KET. I do feel that if the gubment is gonna cut services to the people of this country who pay the feakin bills then they should make huge cuts to folks around the world who we support first.

I'm not specfically saying KET is untouchable...I'm just venting over how we as citizens get taxes increased and then after the gubment tosses money around like it grows on trees comes back at us and basically penalizes us for their stupid ways.
I better stop!! The BP is getting up.

If gubment would not have extended unemployment 3 TIMES this past year, and made folks get off their ASS and find work.....maybe these cuts would not be necessary.

It is unfortunate that we continue to give handouts to folks so they don't have to work.

On top of that.........how about all the illegals SUCKING off the system.. CHANGE THAT.

40 MILLION FAMILIES don't pay taxes. CHANGE THAT.

Later,

Geo

[artcarney_agr]

DJD and GeoFisher.....you share my same sentiments.

I would think KY Afield would get picked up by local tv affiliates in KY. Some shows on local tv I really wonder how they even get on the air. Ky Afield surely draws more than some of these dang cooking shows. KY Afield might have to deal with sponsors to buy commercial time, but heck they're already allowing sponsors in their rules book to help publish those!

Cut KET. It's an outdated channel anways. 40 years ago when there was no cable or internet, it was a valuable resource, but now I just don't see the need.

And about tax increases...if you want to increase taxes, then add a tax to support something worthy, like the KDFWR. I would fully support KDFWR taking money from the general fund, and bumping the state sales tax by 0.5% if they would be guaranteed to get that share of it. This crap of increasing license costs each year, moaning about lack of money, and underpaying it's employees needs to stop. KDFWR needs get off their high-horse and try to get something sustainable set up instead of gambling on how many are going to buy a license each year!

[PRO V LE]

DJD and GeoFisher.....you share my same sentiments.

I would think KY Afield would get picked up by local tv affiliates in KY. Some shows on local tv I really wonder how they even get on the air. Ky Afield surely draws more than some of these dang cooking shows. KY Afield might have to deal with sponsors to buy commercial time, but heck they're already allowing sponsors in their rules book to help publish those!

Cut KET. It's an outdated channel anways. 40 years ago when there was no cable or internet, it was a valuable resource, but now I just don't see the need.

And about tax increases...if you want to increase taxes, then add a tax to support something worthy, like the KDFWR. I would fully support KDFWR taking money from the general fund, and bumping the state sales tax by 0.5% if they would be guaranteed to get that share of it. This crap of increasing license costs each year, moaning about lack of money, and underpaying it's employees needs to stop. KDFWR needs get off their high-horse and try to get something sustainable set up instead of gambling on how many are going to buy a license each year!

You "DO NOT" want the KDFWR money to have anything to do with the general fund or anything else that the Governor/senate could get their hands on. They tried several years ago and lost. The funds that the KDFWR operates with are end user paid and can not be used for social/ welfare / foodstamps etc. programs. Everytime you buy a fish hook a reel rod line etc. you pay a tax that is payed back to the states based on the number of license sales. The same thing apply's to you're boat sticker.
Do you think the legislature would fund WMA programs, fish hatcheries, stocking etc. if they could control that money?

[Chubminnow]

Cut KET. It's an outdated channel anways. 40 years ago when there was no cable or internet, it was a valuable resource, but now I just don't see the need.

And about tax increases...if you want to increase taxes, then add a tax to support something worthy, like the KDFWR. I would fully support KDFWR taking money from the general fund, and bumping the state sales tax by 0.5% if they would be guaranteed to get that share of it.

I guess I'm getting a little outdated myself...I kind of like living 40 years in the past I guess. I kind of like KET as well.

As for taxing us to support KDFWR, forget that idea! That ain't worth a darn! Tell you what though....what I do every years at tax time is give KDFWR a little bonus (assuming I get a refund), if I get a refund I throw a little bit at KDFWR.

[RoadToad]

I love KET and all educational programming. But how can you possibly justify cutting Medicare and Defense spending while continuing present funding levels for TV programming? Seems like a no-brainer to me. I say cut the funds completely before we touch something that's going to affect people's health or our national security. If all the tax cuts the Pubs want really put some extra money in my pocket, I'll chip in a few bucks at their next telethon the help make up the difference.

[MrSplitshot]

If KET goes, then 200 more people in Lexington are without jobs...they collect unemployment, then if they can't find jobs in this economy there are 200 more people who can't spend money in this economy. Either way, there are 200 more people competing for jobs that are already in short supply. I'm not in much favor of anything that causes Kentuckians to lose jobs if we can help it.

However, I do agree that it's hard to justify making cuts to programs like Medicare and Defense when you continue to fund something like KET...which is outdated...and serves for not much more than Big Bird and Ky Afield. (Hopefully both would get picked up by other networks.)

While I agree completely that illegals draining the system and families that don't pay taxes are a huge problem....and I agree that there are many unemployed because they are too lazy to work....there are also a great number of good people digging hard every day trying to find some kind of employment. It is getting better, but there aren't a ton of good jobs out there. You can say "Get a job!"...but it isn't always that easy. I'm not a big welfare proponent...but for those who lose a job because of no fault of their own...unemployment benefits is a necessary deal. The hard part is only paying it to those that are legitimately trying to find work. If we could somehow actually do that, it would be much better...

I am a firm believer that things like the price of oil and it's effect on the economy has a much larger bearing than we realize. Companies that downsized during the recession are scared to death to put their jewels on the chopping block and hire again, because if gas prices jump, it will put the brakes on the economy again. They don't want to get caught there again with too many employees in a down-turned economy. It's going to take a sustained period of improvement before some of these companies take gambles again....and until folks have jobs to go to, here we sit. It's kind of a circle-jerk. Many companies have figured out that they can operate leaner and meaner than they ever thought they could....

[Chubminnow]

That's what I like about bringing things to this board, it provides varied opinions from like minded individuals like myself who love the outdoors, fishing, etc...I appreciate everyone's input.

I guess I've come to the conclusion that KET was originally created and intended for use in the public school system...wasn't it? I believe it was. I'm not sure if KET is used in schools anymore or not....if it IS, then take a look at the funding, consider what it's being used for and make any adjustments necessary. However, if it's NOT being used in the schools anymore then take the axe to it, cut the funding. I 100% agree that KET funding should be cut before medicare, defense, homeland security, etc...

As for Ky Afield, I don't think there's anyone here on this site that would like to see the format changed. It is the longest running outdoors television show in the United States. Ky Afield packs a LOT of information into their half-hour show and honestly I wouldn't want to see it cut to twenty minutes worth of progamming and ten minutes worth of commercials. What would they cut, "The One's That Didn't Get Away" or maybe "This Week's Fishing Report? So who knows what will happen to them.

One other bit of information....I saw it posted on another site pertaining to Lake Cumberland. It was in regards to Nobama's "plan" of cutting a whopping $100 million from the $3.5 trillion federal budget. It sort of put his "budget cuts" into perspective, which basically said if you take the same percentage of your salary at home (assume $4000.00 dollars per month) and cut it by the same percentage that Nobama wants to cut the budget, then based on $4000.00 dollars per month you would be cutting out .12 cents worth of spending per month. I didn't run the numbers myself, but it sounds like Nobama's idea of budget cutting. If you bring home $4000.00 dollars per month now do you think you could get by on $3999.88 dollars per month?

Nothing stays the same forever fella's, change is inevitable, so I guess we'll see what happens. The "experts" say there's signs of economic improvement, but by gawd if there is it sure is s-l-o-w in happening.

[DJD]

Yep KET is still used in the schools. I have to modulate that signal on these schools in the CATV Headend rack. Not sure if they actually use it but I have to modulate it anyway.

[artcarney_agr]

You "DO NOT" want the KDFWR money to have anything to do with the general fund or anything else that the Governor/senate could get their hands on. They tried several years ago and lost. The funds that the KDFWR operates with are end user paid and can not be used for social/ welfare / foodstamps etc. programs. Everytime you buy a fish hook a reel rod line etc. you pay a tax that is payed back to the states based on the number of license sales. The same thing apply's to you're boat sticker.
Do you think the legislature would fund WMA programs, fish hatcheries, stocking etc. if they could control that money?

Take a look at the Missouri Department of Fish and Wildlife. They are set up on a this type of system. The public opportunities in hunting and fishing alone are unbelievable.

Missouri has an annual budget of around $150 million...KY is only around $50 million, assuming they'll get the same average of licenses purchased the previous year (which continues to go down). Missouri has guys lined up to be COs, biologists, etc. for the higher pay and for the greater opportunities available - most are non-Missouri residents willing to relocate. The ones that don't make it in, and have no where else to go, end up in KY. KY gets the bottom of the barrel. It makes me sick.

Take a look at the annual MDC report, the proof is there:
http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/file...rt09_10web.pdf

I continue to have disgust in the lacking that we have in the KDFWR. They are in the dark ages, because no one will step up to help them out and get up to par with other states.

[GeoFisher]

Take a look at the Missouri Department of Fish and Wildlife. They are set up on a this type of system. The public opportunities in hunting and fishing alone are unbelievable.

Missouri has an annual budget of around $150 million...KY is only around $50 million, assuming they'll get the same average of licenses purchased the previous year (which continues to go down). Missouri has guys lined up to be COs, biologists, etc. for the higher pay and for the greater opportunities available - most are non-Missouri residents willing to relocate. The ones that don't make it in, and have no where else to go, end up in KY. KY gets the bottom of the barrel. It makes me sick.

Take a look at the annual MDC report, the proof is there:
http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/file...rt09_10web.pdf

I continue to have disgust in the lacking that we have in the KDFWR. They are in the dark ages, because no one will step up to help them out and get up to par with other states.

60% of their money comes from SALES TAXES.......it is a 1/8th percent or something like that on EVERYTHING sold in the state. And it is protected.

I don't like any new taxes, but a GUARANTEED TAX like this may not be a bad idea.

Conservation Sales Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$93,854,189
Permit Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$32,517,080
Federal Reimbursements . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21,475,595
Sales and Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,047,300
Other Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,402,727
Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$512,827
Total Receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $157,809,718