Keith Monilaws, Absaraka

What does the legislature have against Prairie Public TV to refuse to fund it? House Bill 1255, introduced by Republican Rep Jorin Johnson, is another example of our legislature wasting time and energy introducing bills for made up concerns

The only reason I have seen for this bill being brought forward is because some Republicans feel Prairie Public does not give equal time for pro-life discussions even though CEO John Harris said, “Our goal is to do fact-based reporting.” “Allow different viewpoints to be heard and different voices to be heard, and for the user or the listener or viewer to form their own opinion.” Isn’t this what we want from a media source?

Prairie Public TV provides many valuable programs to the people of North Dakota – My kids watched Mr. Rogers, which was one the most educational shows at the time. Sesame Street is still loved by kids today. Lawerence Welk has always been very popular with the older population. The Antique Road Show and the Ken Burns Documentaries on different subjects of interest are favorites of mine. They also have a news hour on Friday night that features prominent Republicans and Democrats who offer insight on current events.

Republican Rep Jorin Johnson said “In this DOGE era of budgetary sense, this money would be better allocated to other public services like education, health care or infrastructure. I would like to remind Rep. Johnson that DOGE is not an official government agency. Government agencies can only be established by Congress; no one should be following orders from Elon Musk or this fraud of an agency.

I would like to urge our representatives to listen to the people of North Dakota. A House Political Subdivisions Committee voted 8-4 to give a “do not pass” recommendation to this bill. Twenty-nine members of the public submitted testimony opposing the bill. No testimony was received in favor of the bill. North Dakotans want Prairie Public TV, and our representatives should listen to the voice of the people. We all know the state can afford the $1.5 million that is currently being contributed.