An area state representative is supporting a bill that would help fund Wisconsin’s version of C-Span.
The Wisconsin Legislature voted last week to allocate $50,000 to Wisconsin Eye so it can restore its coverage of committee and legislative hearings.
Assembly Bill 974 would change requirements for Wisconsin Eye, eliminating the current law provision for the endowment fund and creating a trust fund from the Wisconsin Department of Administration to make grants to cable channels for operating costs and maintain archives.
The public affairs group will also have to have a state representative from the assembly and the senate on its board of directors, submit an annual financial report, and repay any grant money it doesn’t use.
While State Representative Ron Tusler of Harrison calls the channel “outdated,” he believes, “Keeping WisEye going to keep government as transparent as possible is greatly important.”
He said he’s also happy that the $10 million isn’t just given to the group, but that it requires them to grow the funding.
Wisconsin Eye also has a GoFundMe page to raise funds for its cause.
