The network that covers the Connecticut legislature is on shaky ground. The Connecticut Television Network, CT-N, faces a major financial hit in the budget that’s just been passed by lawmakers.
William Bevacqua, vice president of Administration and Communications for CTN, says the network’s budget has been cut by almost 50 percent, from $3.2 million to $1.6 million.
“I’m waiting for some opportunity to discuss with the Office of Legislative Management what the impact of that is going to be. I can only assume that it’s going to be a fairly significant change in the way we operate but I’m not really able to quantify that yet.”
Bevacqua says he’d like to talk with the state lawmakers about how CT-N can meet their mission in the current budget climate.
“We’re a service and an organization that is supposed to champion government transparency, the discussion of what kind of sacrifices CT-N needs to make in order to adapt to fiscal realities should also be transparent.”
Bevacqua says the network is also in the process of finalizing their contract with the state ahead of a Tuesday deadline. The proposal they are considering is based on receiving more money from the state. He says if the contract isn’t approved, it’s possible the network could stop broadcasting next week.
The Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information says if CT-N is allowed to go dark, it will leave yet one less valuable source of information the public needs in order to know what their government is doing.
