DAN THE GROUCH: Sen. Sullivan wants to gut budget of Arkansas PBS.

Sen. Dan Sullivan (extremist R-Jonesboro) filed legislation today to punish Arkansas PBS, which he thinks is left-wing.

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It’s his own hand-crafted budget bill for the education channel.

The budget approved by the Joint Budget Committee, but to date falling short of the 75 votes needed for passage in the House, contains about $14.5 million in two separate categories (the network is supported by both state general revenue and outside sources.) Sullivan would reduce the sum to $10.9 million, a 25 percent cut.

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Some big categorical cuts:

Where the Joint Budget bill provides a total of $5.2 million for salaries, Sullivan would reduce the figure to $3.9 million. Something would have to give in the 102 positions authorized.

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Where Joint Budget provides $5.8 million for operating expenses, Sullivan would provide $4 million. He also will continue to be sure that all outside contractors are vetted for personal political opinions that align with Sullivan. It was an education program contractor who had thoughts about climate change that teed up Sullivan. But he also had ill thoughts about Big Bird.

We need an angry muppet for Dan Sullivan.

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