The unconstitutional $4M for public radio stations
added to the FY2025-2026 state budget

2.
May 12, 2025
"New York increases public radio support amid CPB funding threat"
Current (Tyler Falk) tyler@current.org

New York’s governor signed a budget bill last week that included $4 million in state funding to public radio stations. 

The funding is in addition to the state’s regular annual appropriation to public broadcasters, which was more than $14 million in the fiscal year 2026 budget. $13 million of that goes to public television, according to a press release from New York Public Radio. 

According to the bill, the $4 million will be divided evenly among New York public radio stations. A New York State Education Department website lists 12 radio stations. 

“While Washington attempts to cut federal funding for public broadcasting — which has enjoyed bipartisan support for over 50 years and supports a service that millions of Americans in every Congressional district rely on every day — our State leaders stepped up to help public radio stations in New York State continue to provide communities access to trusted local news, cultural and educational programming, and emergency services,” NYPR CEO LaFontaine Oliver said in the NYPR release. 

Oliver thanked state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal “for his vision and leadership in proposing this additional funding.” 

In March, Hoylman-Sigal posted on X that he was looking to increase state funding because public media “is a vital resource that is already underfunded and is now facing significant cuts” from the federal government.

May 12, 2025
New York Adds to Budget for Public Radio – TALKERS magazine

EXAMINING --
NY State Senate Bill 2025-S3003

S.3003-B  (March 10, 2025)  (at p. 246)
"Aid to educational television and radio. Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the amount  appropriated herein shall represent fulfillment of the state's obligation for this program (21848) ........................ 14,027,00

S.3003-C/A.3003-C  (May 7, 2025) (p. 254)
"Aid to educational television and radio. Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the amount appropriated herein shall represent fulfillment of the state's obligation for this program (21848) ........................ 14,027,000
For services and expenses of public radio stations chartered pursuant to section 236 of the education law, provided that the funds appropriated herein shall be distributed evenly among such stations and shall be in addition to the annual state aid for public broadcasting received by each such station pursuant to such section  .............................................. 4,000,000

S.3003-D/A.3003-D  (at p. 266)
Aidto educational television and radio.  Notwithstandingany provision of law,rule or regulation tothe contrary, the amount appropriated herein shall represent  fulfillment ofthestate's obligationfor  thisprogram(21848)........................14,027,000
For services and expenses of public radio stations chartered pursuant to section 236 of the education law, provided that the funds appropriated herein shall be distributed evenly among such stations and shall be in addition to the annual state aid for public broadcasting received by each such station pursuant to such section  .............................................. 4,000,000

3.
CJA's February 4, 2026 FOIL request --
"FY2025-26 Aid to Localities Budget Bill S.3003D/A.3003D --
Aid to Educational Television & Radio/State Education Law §236"

* * *

State Education Law §236
“Public Television and Radio Act of nineteen hundred seventy-eight”
“It is the sense of the legislature that public television’s contributions to the people of New York state have been exceptional. Despite public broadcasting’s great progress in New York state in recent years, its full potential remains untapped. It is, therefore, the intent of the legislature both to maintain and, expand the role of public broadcasting in supplying educational, instructional and cultural programs to New Yorkers, as well as to enhance the state’s role in its partnership with its citizens so that this valuable state resource can be nurtured to its optimum potential.”

NYS Education Dept -- Public Broadcasting

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FY2026-27 Aid to Localities Appropriations Bill
p. 191