Alabama Public Television (APT) will lose about $3 million annually if a rescissions package is approved by the U.S. Senate next week, according to one APT executive.
The Senate is expected to consider legislation that claws back previously allocated funding next week. The $9 billion in total cuts targets foreign funding and public broadcasting, among other things. The package is supported by President Donald Trump and has already passed the House. The deadline to pass the measure is July 18.
According to APT, the potential $3 million loss represents about 13% of APT’s budget.
Wayne Reid, Alabama Public Television executive director, said in a recent statement, “Next week the Senate is expected to vote on a legislative package that would claw back $1.1 billion in approved public media funding. The measure needs only 50 votes to pass.”
“If the Senate approves this massive cut, the consequences for Alabama Public Television’s service will be immediate and severe. We will be forced to make difficult decisions – and you could lose some of your favorite programs—like Masterpiece and Finding Your Roots—as well as trusted PBS Kids content, educational outreach in communities and classrooms, and other vital outreach programs,” Reid said. “It costs just about $1.60 per person each year to keep these vital services available to everyone. Wiping out this funding will have an extremely minimal impact on the federal debt, but it could destroy local public broadcasting stations throughout the country.”
Adam Thompson, Alabama state director for Americans for Prosperity, asked on X, “Why is a state agency (@APTV) that received $18.9 million out of the Alabama Education Trust Fund in FY2025 sending out emails to Alabamians asking them to lobby for federal funding for them?”
“Presumably using state agency resources to send this email out,” Thompson said.
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