Senate Passes Bill Helping Noncom Broadcasters

The omnibus appropriations bill that passed in the Senate over the weekend contains some money to help noncommercial broadcasters through a rough patch, and restores funding to the Ready To Learn/Teach program that the President's budget would have axed. But in addition, Congress has appropriated $25 million in "fiscal stabilization" funding to, in part, help preserve jobs and programs threatened by the current economy. According to a PBS spokesperson, that money will be paid out to TV and radio stations within 45 days of the bill's passage, according to the language of the law. According to PBS, Congress has also set aside $27.3 million for Ready To Learn, which targets preschoolers in low-income areas; $10.7 million for Ready To Teach; and $25 million in "fiscal stabilization" funding to, in part, help preserve jobs and programs. The bill awaits the President's signature.