Virginia legislators vote to restore pubcasting funds

The Virginia General Assembly rejected a proposal to end subsidies for the state's public television and radio stations. Republican Governor Bob McDonnell proposed the two-year phase-out as part of a package of budget amendments that lawmakers took up yesterday. House legislators debated vigorously before voting 52-43 to maintain funding for the next two years, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "Broadcasters say that previous budget cuts have forced them to use nearly all state aid for programs in public schools," the Washington Post reports.