OLYMPIA —A bill to support public broadcasting stations in Washington through a 20-cent monthly surcharge on cell phone lines is set for a public hearing Friday.
HB 2579 seeks to address financial shortfalls experienced by stations such as KSPS in Spokane and KDNA in Yakima due to recent federal funding cuts. The proposed surcharge would fund grants and awards to help these stations continue serving their communities.
Testimonies at the hearing will include perspectives from Skyler Reep, Interim GM & Development Director at KSPS PBS Spokane, David Fischer, President and General Manager of KNKX Seattle, and Kevin Sur, host of Sounds of Survivance on KEXP and founder of Artist Home.
The hearing will take place Friday at 10:30 a.m. before the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development & Veterans.
