State leaders want $80M boost
California leaders called for an $80 million infusion into public media after federal cuts, arguing the funding will support classroom resources and educational content for communities. The proposal could expand free media-based learning assets usable for cross-grade STEAM instruction. (kpbs.org)
Assemblymember Chris Ward led the announcement at a press conference outside the KPBS Public Media building on March 27, 2026, joined by San Diego elected officials, news organization leaders and media advocates. (kpbs.org (kpbs.org)) The funding proposal presented by Ward breaks the request into $60 million to backfill federal reductions, $10 million targeted to innovation and infrastructure, and $10 million specifically for ethnic media outlets. (kpbs.org (kpbs.org)) KPBS general manager Deanna Martin Mackey quantified the federal hit as roughly $4.3 million lost annually to KPBS and about $30 million in total cuts to California public media stations. (kpbs.org (kpbs.org)) Ward and 28 California Assembly colleagues formalized the request in a letter to the state budget committee seeking a one-time appropriation in the 2026–27 budget. (kpbs.org (kpbs.org)) Separately, Ward introduced AB 2222 — the Community NEWS Act — to create refundable state tax credits for local news employers, with the bill text and intent filed on Feb. 19, 2026. (legiscan.com (legiscan.com)) Under the plan described at the announcement, the proposed tax credits would include $20,000 per newsroom for the first five journalists, $15,000 for each additional journalist, and a $15,000 credit for each newly created journalism role, with the measure slated to take effect in 2027 and sunset after 2031 if enacted. (kpbs.org (kpbs.org)) KPBS noted it could financially benefit from both the proposed one-time appropriation and the tax-credit legislation, a disclosure included in reporting on the March 27 announcement. (kpbs.org (kpbs.org))
