State lawmakers take differing views on public broadcasting, MPR

The focus of the proposed constitutional amendment has always been hunting and fishing. Sportsmen have been working for eight years on a plan to earmark a portion of the state sales tax to preserving wildlife habitats, and voters could get to decide the issue this fall.

The Senate sponsor of the proposed constitutional amendment, Sen. Dallas Sams, DFL-Staples, says the bill was gradually expanded to include clean water programs, parks and the arts as a way to broaden its support. There was also a provision added for public broadcasting.

"Actually in the Senate we had a pretty good bipartisan effort to get everything on," Staples said. "Because there are people who think culture has a lot to do with Minnesota, and has a lot to do even with environmental resources, and it kind of all fits together as a benefit for the whole state."

There's a fundamental difference between the Senate and House bills. The Senate generates twice the money as the House by increasing the state sales. The House bill dedicates a percentage of existing taxes.

Minnesota Public Radio and other public radio and television broadcasters would share $12 million a year under the Senate bill. The House bill earmarks $5 million, but eliminates MPR from the equation by prohibiting any of that money going to broadcasters that hold 10 or more licenses. MPR holds licenses for 38 stations across the state.

"The language in the amendment was specifically to include public television and not to include MPR," said Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, the sponsor of the House Bill.

(MPR has) got the best broadcasting facilities in the state. Near as I can tell, they don't have a crisis.

"I think there's a lot of support amongst the voters out there out for public TV," Hackbarth said. "I just don't think the support is there to put something in the Constitution for Minnesota Public Radio."

That lack of support extends to the governor's office. During a recent rally at the State Capitol, Gov. Pawlenty shared his view of the issue with hunting and fishing enthusiasts.

"I don't think we have we have a constitutional crisis down here at public radio," Pawlenty said. "They just built a brand new, state-of-the art -- they've got the best broadcasting facilities in the state. Near as I can tell, they don't have a crisis. I do see a lot of wetlands and a lot of prairies getting infringed upon by development and other pressures." Minnesota Public Radio President Bill Kling is questioning the fairness of the House bill.

"I think there's no, no way to explain why the state's premiere public broadcasting organization would be excluded from legislation designed to fund public broadcasting," Kling said.

Kling has been on the air frequently in the past few days, urging MPR listeners to get involved in the debate. Kling says MPR could use dedicated state funding to expand its broadcast service with new transmitters. Despite the governor's assessment, Kling isn't apologizing for MPR's success.

"Look at the new Guthrie, the new Walker Art Center, the new Art Institute, the orchestras," Kling said. "That's what you want to support. You don't want to support failure. You want to support success. You want to make sure that the quality of life of this state, which that bill is all about, is maintained for long term and for future generation."

Kling says he has no idea why House Republicans excluded MPR from the bill. But one possible answer involves one of the best known voices on public radio. Rep. Mike Charron, R-Woodbury, said some of his colleagues were upset that A Prairie Home Companion host Garrison Keillor has helped raise money for several DFL House candidates.

"MPR can't be held accountable for all its employees," Charron said. "I know he came out to my district, and even raised thousands of dollars for my opponent last time. But that's Garrison Keillor, but unfortunately people don't separate Garrison and his politics for who he works for."

Garrison Keillor has not been an employee of MPR since the mid-1980s. Keillor runs his own independent production company. His programs are are distributed by MPR's national distribution company, American Public Media.

MPR President Bill Kling says Keillor's personal politics should have no bearing on a state funding decision.

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