Pennsylvania pubcasting supporters rally at capitol

Public broadcasting supporters and viewers--including teachers, station employees and even toddlers--protested at the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg Tuesday in an attempt to persuade the legislature to restore funding for the state's eight pubTV stations. Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed budget would zero-out $8 million in grants to stations including WQED in Pittsburgh. "Dozens of moms with kids in strollers, costumed characters, music groups, all the GMs from our stations, community leaders and even legislators joined us to rally to get the funding restored," Rosemary Martinelli, WQED spokeswoman told Current. "We need to communicate that it is not just a cut but a total elimination."