Central Coast reacts to potentially funding cuts to public broadcast
SEASIDE, Calif (KION-TV) -- For most, cutting the television or radio is the first thing they do in the morning.
In Monterey County, KAZU has been a go-to source for almost 50 years.
It's also a station that could be severely impacted by the budget cuts from the "recession" bill that could pull federal funding to public broadcasts.
"It's really disappointing to me. I think that having access to those sort of like industries and companies are really, really important," Kylee Hostetter, a Marina neighbor, said.
Another neighbor, Maria Lopez, said she remembers her brother watching shows on these broadcasts when he was younger and is upset about the cuts.
"Seeing that it's going to be cut and knowing how helpful it can be, and how much of a great advantage it is to have that, it's just disappointing and frustrating," Lopez said.
While Hostetter and Lopez advocate for the brodcasts to keep their funding, others within Monterey County are saying it is necessary to make these cuts to help put the nation's budget back on track.
"The programs aren't being eliminated. They're just part of the budget process as we draw back and try to balance the budget," Brian Higgins, political director of the Monterey County Republican Party said. "I want to say I grew up watching Sesame Street, so it's something that I think everyone pretty much supports. There is messaging that's been in Sesame Street that many people find objectionable."
As Higgins mentioned, some listeners believe the broadcasts have become bias, leaning towards liberal views.
Hostetter agrees these broadcasts show bias, but also believes every news platform does as well.
"Our job is to educate the youth and to educate the people around us. And you should be taking your information from multiple sources, not just from one," Hostetter said. "So if you see one is biased, go look at other sources and, you know, figure out the best truth that you can figure out."
The bill is now returning to the House of Representatives for final approval with a deadline for final passage on Friday.
