Last summer, Governor Scott vetoed funds approved by the Florida Legislature for public broadcasting for fiscal year 2011-12. This included a community service grant of $61,715 to WQCS that represented a reduction of 30% from the previous year. Florida had a long history of working with public stations that provide education programs and emergency information.
WQCS has taken necessary steps to reduce spending. Unfortunately this resulted in losing some of our part-time staff and some programs you were used to hearing.
Rest assured, as the primary Emergency Alert System station in our area, we will be devoting our efforts to being adequately prepared for emergencies and keeping our communities prepared and informed.
WQCS is seeking 617 NEW MEMBERS at the $100 level to help make up the reduction.
How you can help:
1. If you are not currently a member of WQCS, please join now. If you are already a member, encourage your friends to become members and/or make an additional gift to WQCS.
2. Patronize WQCS business underwriters and thank them for supporting WQCS. Encourage other businesses to support WQCS by becoming an underwriter.
3. Tell your local state legislators and members of congress that you think public broadcasting is important and worthy of their support. Thank you for listening and for working with us to ensure that WQCS remains a strong voice to connect you with our community, state and world! You can learn more about national funding at 170millionamericans.org. |