Florida Governor Vetos Public Broadcasting Funding

Even as public television and radio stations across Florida work furiously to cope with the recent veto of nearly $4.8 million in state funding, there is one public broadcaster that will see its state support increased.

WFSU in Tallahassee will receive $2.8 million that Gov. Rick Scott left untouched in next year's budget, specifically funding TV and radio projects often focused on the workings of state government. The cash includes $1.8 million for the Florida Channel, a TV outlet based in the state Capitol that features live, unedited coverage of the governor and Cabinet, Legislature and Supreme Court. There's another $340,862 provided for closed captioning of the channel. WFSU also gets $497,522 for "statewide government and cultural affairs programming," which includes funding for the 30-year-old Florida Crossroads documentary series and the Florida Public Radio Network — a service to all public radio stations in the state that provides "in-depth coverage of the Florida Legislature, state government and issues that affect the state." Along with $162,750 provided for satellite uplink equipment, WFSU will receive a hike for these projects of more than $500,000 from last year's budget levels.