OETA seeks funding hike despite growing opposition

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The new director of Oklahoma's public television network is asking the Legislature for a more than 50 percent boost in state funding, even as some lawmakers are calling to eliminate state funding for the agency entirely.

The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority's new Executive Director Dan Schiedel discussed his agency's budget needs Monday before a joint House and Senate budget panel. Oklahoma lawmakers are reviewing individual agency budgets before the legislative session begins next week.

Schiedel asked lawmakers for a $2 million increase in its annual budget to help pay for increasing employee benefits, more state legislative coverage, and a statewide satellite distribution.

But OETA is facing opposition from a growing number of conservatives in the Legislature who argue the network is not a core function of state government.