BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO/KVRR) – North Dakota House members have voted 61-32 to end the state’s funding of Prairie Public Broadcasting.
That went against the “do not pass” recommendation from the House Political Subdivisions Committee.
Prairie Public received nearly $1.5 million from the state in fiscal year 2023, which is less than 10% of its revenue.
Republican Rep. Vicky Steiner of Dickinson voted in favor of the funding cut pointing to what she calls a one-sided view of the abortion issue by the public broadcaster.
“And what if Planned Parenthood puts the abortion issue on the ballot? Is our state PBS going to be selling their ballot measure for them with our money?” said Steiner.
Rep. LaurieBeth Hager, a Democrat from Fargo, said, “ I represent a district and we all represent people in the state that may not be able to afford fancy phones. They may not be able to afford a $200-a-month cable bill.”
Republican Rep. Jorin Johnson of Fargo sponsored the bill saying public money could be better spent on education, health care or infrastructure.
It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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