Future of NJN still in question after budget deal

by: Jason Springer

Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 03:15:00 PM EDT

With a budget agreement reached, NJN is still in limbo. The negotiated budget apparently does NOT include any restoration of funds for NJN, but rather keeps the Christie formula of ending at least direct state funding on January 1, 2011.

Now it seems that people are scrambling in Trenton to find a solution to the problem that is about to be created. We're told that during the Senate budget hearings, they will consider SCR-113, which would establish a "Legislative Task Force on Public Broadcasting" to study Governor's proposal to transfer assets of NJ Public Broadcasting Authority to an independent, not-for-profit organization. Similar or identical legislation would then be drafted in the Assembly.

Since this is all being rushed through, there are probably some questions that should be asked including:

Will the task force be legislators only or public members as well?
Will the task force be specifically charged to look at the value of NJN's licenses, studios, towers and other assets?
Will the task force look at the advantages and disadvantages of the state retaining the assets?
Will the formation of a New Jersey Public Media Corporation (allowing the taxpayers to retain the NJN licenses, ensuring New Jersey news and public affairs coverage, but allowing NJN autonomy in the areas of hiring, procurement, labor relations, and leasing of assets such as spectrum and towers) be considered?
Will retention of the current employees of NJN be considered?

You can see the ad that the CWA is running calling for restoration of the funding below:

So the future of NJN is still in question. Assemblyman Wisniewski now has Assemblywoman Watson Coleman as a co-sponsor on A2949, which would reorganize the Broadcasting Authority into the New Jersey Public Media Corporation. But the clock is ticking on which path NJN will have to travel down and there still are many more questions than answers. Now is the cruicial time for all those who care about NJN to make their voices heard.

Jason Springer :: Future of NJN still in question after budget deal